Distru’s Post

Festival season musings…. In the past week I have attended 3 events with unlicensed sales of unlicensed cannabis product. I don’t (totally) blame the organizers - they’re just giving the people what they want and if you aren’t an industry professional you likely don’t know the difference. I also don’t blame the vendors. They’re just taking advantage of business opportunities. The problem here is that the regulations have made it SO IMPOSSIBLE to provide regulated product to consumers in the places they want to consume that OCM has inadvertently cleared the path for popup illicit sales pretty much everywhere. While we as dispensaries work our butts off to normalize cannabis and provide a responsible, mature shopping experience, a now more educated market can go buy their hash holes off a guy in a popup tent along with some munchies. This would all be quelled if there weren’t fear inciting and vague messages being passed along from OCM to dispensaries. We WANT to fix this WITH you. But acting like consumption and sales at events isn’t happening is just not the way. Healthy, sustainable growth for New York’s cannabis industry is possible, but capricious and frankly self serving regs + comms are really making it into more of a pickle than need be. Cooperative business practices are on the rise, particularly in our space… policy making needs to follow suit.

🌿 While the news has been fixated on the challenges with the NY market, let’s not forget to shine a light on the current and soon to market operators who are tirelessly growing, building, and collaborating to move this market forward. 💪 If you want to witness what’s truly unfolding in the New York cannabis market, look no further than Revelry Buyers’ Club. Registration is officially open for the highly anticipated Revelry Buyers’ Club! 🎉 Register @ www.revelryny.com Revelry Buyers’ Club is New York’s exclusive B2B cannabis trade show, hosting the most concentrated gathering of licensed New York retailers, cultivators, processors, brands, and ancillary providers. ⚡ This is where the NY market gathers to handle business. ⚡ This is what New York cannabis looks like. And don’t let them tell you different. On The Revel

Together lets take the industry to the next level 🚀 🚀 🚀 Unite at The Revelry Buyers' Club – New York’s Premier B2B Cannabis Trade Show Get ready to ignite your business potential at the Revelry Buyers' Club, New York's exclusive B2B cannabis trade show. This pivotal event stands as the most concentrated gathering of licensed New York operators, featuring retailers, cultivators, processors, brands, and select ancillary providers. Registration for May 30th Buyer’s Club is OPEN 😊 - Licensed retail operators receive complimentary passes - Early bird exhibitor pricing through April 15th  See you there ✌🏽 Mark Your Calendar: Thursday, May 30th – A Day of Unparalleled Cannabis Business Prepare to dive into a sea of opportunity with over 250+ retailers, 120+ cultivators, processors, and brands, and 1000+ industry professionals, all under one roof. This day will be a cornerstone for networking, learning, and forming valuable connections in the blossoming heart of New York's cannabis industry. Experience the Power of Community and Innovation The Revelry Buyers' Club is not just an event; it's a movement towards a more integrated, resilient and cooperative market in New York. With every handshake and exchange, you'll be part of shaping the future of this industry in the Empire State. Don’t Miss Out – Register Now and Energize Your Business! Spaces are filling fast, and you won’t want to miss this electrifying opportunity to elevate your network and knowledge. Join us at The Revelry Buyers' Club, where the pulse of New York’s cannabis industry beats the strongest. Everyone: Consider Sponsorship to maximize your brands exposure. Everyone will be vetted for confirmation of attendance. Brands, Producers and Cultivators: Talk to your partners and determine if you want to exhibit together or separate. Retailers: RSVP ASAP, we got you, but register your team and develop your strategy for the occasion. Ancillary Service Providers: Consider sponsorship opportunities, industry tickets or exhibiting. Prospective Licensees: This event prioritizes the licensed and operating. Industry tickets are the best option for you and they will go fast, seriously, book ASAP. Lulu Tsui Jacobi Holland Peter Mercado-Reyes Jason Starr (He/Him) Geraldine Mae Cueva & Saki Fenderson New York Cannabis Retail Association Cannabis Association of New York Weedmaps

George Jage of MJ Unpacked (coming to Atlantic City this April) recently joined Ganjapreneur for an insightful Q&A about his experience convening cannabis professionals over the past decade, the current fundraising landscape for brands, and more. Here's an excerpt: "If you were looking for an easy road to riches and picked cannabis, you might want to turn around and head back. It is bumpy and filled with pitfalls, but the reward is way beyond what any of us can imagine. Setting aside the opportunity to create wealth, equity, fame or fortune, we are collectively building a brand new industry and changing the world, for the better I believe. That needs to be the core source of your strength." Read the full interview below!

Another important step for the movement to legalize and destigmatize this magical plant. Enabling safe, easy access is our mission. Let’s get it. And anyone for SF? How could I not be as a NorCal native…Rivaling with my 10 year old around this very subject now! #legalize #normalization #access

Sooo, we’re doing a thing and bringing cannabis sales and consumption to the California State Fair. I believe the future of cannabis is in social consumption. Creating the first cannabis restaurant was (and is!) cool but….it wasn’t until I met Lauren and Dustin that I realized that it’s actually events that are the best opportunity for normalization. [Side note: I remember working on pitch decks for the business back in 2020-pandemic times and we had an events section. I’m 100% sure I said “hey guys, there will never be events again. I think it’s over? Sure we want to include this?” Happy to be wrong about that. 😅 ] Think of it this way– people that are going to lounges/cafes are intentionally seeking out a cannabis experience. Events tho? You’re tapping into an entirely new audience. These are folks that aren’t seeking out cannabis and just so happen to be at an event where cannabis co-exists. The mindset is different. The ability to change perception is different. And that is incredibly powerful when we are talking about destigmitizing the plant. Which is our mission at embarc– to destigmitize and normalize cannabis…at scale. What better place to do it than at one of the most normal events ever? Where corn dogs, cotton candy and now cannabis will co-exist for the first time in 170 years! See you in Sacramento! PS- I just got a sneak peak of Terri's State Fair sunhat and she’s ready for the heat! 🔥 #cannabis #cannabisretail #cannabiscommunity #marketing #history

We recently provided our unwavering support to the organization of Product Earth. Having experienced similar events during the last Mary Jane festival in Berlin, we understand the importance of upholding rules. It's disheartening to witness the disruption caused by participants who fail to comply. The challenges associated with organizing events around Cannabis are more intricate than ever. The success of such initiatives seems to be viewed as a threat by certain sectors. It begs the question: is the disruption solely linked to cannabis consumption, or are there underlying reasons at play? The resilience of these events is crucial, and it's evident that maintaining standards is paramount. Your insights on this matter are valuable. Let's continue the conversation.

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

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

🌿 Just 7 Days Until Cannabis Europa 2024! 🌿 The countdown is on for what’s shaping up to be a pivotal moment for European cannabis. Historically, we’ve seen senior delegates from Fortune 500 companies attend under alternative company names. This year, there’s a major shift. We’re thrilled to announce that global heads from leading sectors—Pharmaceuticals, FMCG, Tobacco, Beverages, and Finance—are registering and proudly representing their companies. 🚀 This transparency and openness signal a new era for the cannabis industry. Don’t miss out on the discussions that will shape the future! All Made Possible by our brilliant partners 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Curaleaf International Curaleaf Laboratories CANNAVIGIA 4C LABS The Jorja Emerson Centre Brains Bio GROW® Group PLC Astrasana Holding AG Ziel Paralab Green Tikun Olam Europe Linnea SA NEXGEN TYSON 2.0 PharmaCann Polska BLAZE® Terpenia Phytotherapeutics P.C. True Terpenes Retsch - Milling and Sieving Canxchange Canexis Pharma AG Gowling WLG Pure Support Clever Leaves CANNPRISMA Enhanced Medical Cannabis PHCANN INTERNATIONAL Flow Gardens MJBiz Viridian #CannabisEuropa #CannabisIndustry #EuropeanCannabis #Pharmaceuticals #FMCG #Tobacco #Beverages #Finance #Innovation