AYR Wellness Inc.’s Post

learn more about cannabis regulations and the industry in Massachusetts. great job, Comms!

Loblaws seeking a bigger piece of Canada’s legal MJ retail market? Back in 2017 I published a piece on LinkedIn predicting Loblaws would eventually seek entry into the then emerging Cdn recreational cannabis retail space.   From day one on Cdn legalization, Loblaws had opened 10 C-Spit locations in Newfoundland & Labrador (12) today.   Todays article by Global News indicates that Loblaws intends to get into the rec MJ space with a much bigger footprint (including 2 Ontario C-Spot locations)   Although the current path  in Ontario that Loblaws seeks my face hurdles,  Loblaws may choose to buy its way in through a potential acquisition of, say High Tide (HITI-TSX HITI-NASDAQ). Or Nova Cannabis (NOVC-TSX). https://lnkd.in/gtR2fQji

The power of merging a truly custom site and ecommerce design / development to highlight the uniqueness of an immersive brand, together with the thoughtful execution of a conversion-focused user experience to drive the highest value and results from the digital platform as well as the comprehensive ongoing Search Engine Optimization Marketing Campaign. This is how you truly empower and drive success to dispensaries. Share your thoughts below - cant wait for all the success that is to come for this client! #cannabis #cannabismarketing

Meet Claudio Miranda, co-founder and COO of Budist, the industry's first social review platform for cannabis! The Budist community includes cannabis critics, or “Budists”, such as certified Ganjiers, cup judges, subject matter experts, and connoisseurs. For the CA State Fair Cannabis Awards, Budists will be assigned to each Category and Product Type based on their qualifications and area of expertise. Their role is to objectively assess the quality and craftsmanship of each entry and determine if the product delivers on its intended use case. Judges follow a standardized methodology to ensure fair, honest ratings based on their professional assessment of each entry. Budists will evaluate entries based on: - Aroma  - Flavor  - Appearance  - Effect By leveraging their diverse skill sets and adhering to a standardized methodology, Claudio and the Budist judges will play a vital role in identifying the industry's most outstanding cannabis products at this year’s awards. Learn more and enter now: https://lnkd.in/gUqpZ_Di

The passing of AB 1775 marks a pivotal moment for the cannabis industry, opening the doors for cafes and experience-driven cannabis spaces across California that combine cannabis products with food, beverage, music and entertainment. This new law allows licensed cannabis retailers to serve non-cannabis food and drinks and host ticketed events, pushing the cannabis business beyond product sales and into the experience economy. How will dispensaries and lounges leverage this expanded potential revenue stream? In a recent blog post for CVCAN - Coachella Valley Cannabis Alliance Network, Brian Applegarth explores this massive opportunity for cannabis businesses in tourism-heavy areas like the Coachella Valley—a region that thrives on its visitor economy. The modern traveler is seeking unique, immersive experiences, and now is the time for cannabis businesses to integrate fully into California’s travel landscape. Read more to explore the exciting potential opened up by AB 1775 (🔗 in comments). 📸: Photo of The Woods lounge in West Hollywood by Joshua Porter #cannabistravel #cannabislounges #california #cannabistourism #experientialmarketing #experienceeconomy

Here we are in 2024, at a crucial point for the cannabis world. It’s more than just keeping up with new rules or economic ups and downs. It’s about growing stronger together and holding onto what makes us unique—our culture. This year is full of promise, but it’s also full of challenges. What’s going to get us through? Believing in our way of doing things, in innovation, and in supporting each other. It’s our culture that will light the way forward. We’re not just trying to survive; we’re looking to thrive and shape the future of cannabis. It’s about more than profits; it’s about staying true to our values and making a difference. So, what’s your take on where we’re headed? Let’s make this journey one we’re proud of.

Silly Nice: A Black & Veteran-Owned Cannabis Brand Making Waves in New York 🌿 Silly Nice, a Harlem-based cannabis brand, is proudly Black and Veteran-owned, and it's making a significant impact in New York’s booming cannabis industry. Founded in the vibrant heart of Harlem, Silly Nice was created by a passionate team of entrepreneurs with a clear mission. In an industry often lacking in representation, Silly Nice is breaking barriers by prioritizing inclusivity and excellence. Their commitment to quality is evident, as Frosted Hash Balls to the flavorful Diamond Powder consistently rank at the top of New York State's concentrates list. Each item is crafted and tested with care, ensuring potency, safety, and an elevated experience for both recreational and medicinal users alike. As this brand continues to grow, it's clear that Silly Nice is more than just a cannabis company—they're a community-driven movement. 21+.💪🌱 #CannabisIndustry #VeteranOwned #BlackOwned #Harlem #NewYork #CannabisCommunity #SillyNice #InclusiveBusiness #NYC #Cannabis

Cannabis producer Green Thumb Industries has expressed interest in merging with Boston Beer, the maker of Sam Adams lager. Green Thumb’s Chief Executive, Ben Kovler, sent a letter to Boston Beer’s founder and Chairman, Jim Koch, on Sunday to discuss a potential combination. The benefits of this merger include allowing Green Thumb to be listed on a major U.S. exchange, as well as enhancing its ability to innovate in categories such as prerolled joints, edibles, and drinks, and pursue mergers and acquisitions. The WSJ reported late last week that Japanese whisky maker Suntory was in early talks for a possible Boston Beer acquisition. Kovler said he would be able to make a superior offer for Boston Beer, adding that young people are drinking less alcohol, while the U.S. cannabis market—still working its way toward legalization for recreational use in many states—is ballooning. “As we look at a future where this consumer trend continues to gain traction, I believe we have to be proactive versus reactive,” he said. Boston Beer has a market capitalization of about $3.6 billion. The company’s shares surged more than 20% on Friday on Suntory’s interest. Green Thumb has a market capitalization of about $2.5 billion. A deal could be difficult to pull off, particularly given that cannabis consumption remains illegal at the federal level in the U.S. The Biden administration is seeking to reclassify marijuana as a less-dangerous drug. Boston Beer has its own foothold in cannabis with a brand known as TeaPot, which makes cannabis-infused iced tea. It debuted in 2022 and is currently available in Canada.

Hot Take: New York is the epicenter of Legal Cannabis. Don't believe me? Here's how I know. Most household cannabis brands were born out West. And while legal cannabis has proliferated across the country, for years, all of these brands had the same mantra: we want to focus on winning our state, no other state matters. Enter New York. One year into this nascent adult-use market, and all of those same West Coast cannabis brands are now establishing a beachhead on the East Coast. It makes sense - can you really consider yourself a brand if you aren't in New York? Brands like Jetty Extracts, Wana Brands, Wyld, Grön, Kiva Brands, Inc., Heavy Hitters, Old Pal and so many others have made their way east, bringing years of name recognition with them. While consumers here may not know these brands as well as they know Kleenex or Reese's, these cannabis brands have been around for years, which makes a difference. Will that OG cred be enough to win out against home-grown brands? It's going to be interesting to see who the winners are in this market, but rest assured that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. #newyork #eastcoast #nyscannabis #legalcannabis #adultuse #cannabismarket #hottake

How's the NYC cannabis market roll-out going? Take a look at the recent OCM assessment task force findings sent to the governor. The report highlights key areas for improvement within the agency's operations and the adult-use retailer licensing process. Key findings include limited administrative depth, decentralized licensing operations, complex requirements, sparse customer service, lack of data and KPIs, and the use of multiple disparate IT systems. These insights shed light on the challenges OCM faces in its decision-making processes and operational efficiency. #nycannabis #OCM #GovernorHochul #CannabisControlBoard In March 2024, Governor Hochul convened a mul�-agency task force to assess how to improve public engagement and restore trust in OCM. The task force included government leaders from mul�ple State agencies with extensive opera�ons experience and exper�se in organiza�onal redesign for agency success. Over several weeks, the task force conducted interviews with execu�ves at OCM, employees, and external stakeholders, reviewed regula�ons, public guidance, and Cannabis Control Board (CCB) mee�ngs, and designed high level process maps for adult-use retail license applica�ons. This report details current OCM opera�ons and procedures and primarily focuses on improvements of general agency opera�ons and a review of the adult-use retailer licensing process. Key Findings Specifically, the task force found OCM had: Limited depth in administra�on; Failed to centralize licensing opera�ons; Created complex and obscure licensing requirements; Provided sparse customer service; A lack of data and key performance indicators (KPI); And u�lized mul�ple disparate IT systems. These findings have been exemplified through OCM’s o�en confusing decisions regarding agency opera�ons