Minnesota’s off to the races 🏁

“The Hawthorne companies were intended to capitalize on the legal cannabis sector, but the ability to achieve sustained growth within this industry has been challenged by four years of unkept promises resulting in total inaction at the federal level on cannabis-related issues,” ScottsMiracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn said in a statement. 

Back up: The gardening supply giant announced last week it would transfer its cannabis holdings, Hawthorne Collective, to an unnamed "independent strategic partner." CEO Jim Hagedorn blamed “four years of unkept promises” from the federal government for his company's transfer of a subsidiary with operations in Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas and New York. The company retained the option to reacquire Hawthorne Collective in the event of positive federal reform. 

His full statement is worth reading: “President Trump has supported a range of much-needed reforms, from rescheduling cannabis to adoption of the SAFER Banking Act. The actions he has endorsed would accelerate industry growth and increase the value of these investments. Until they become a reality, we believe the Hawthorne companies can be a greater asset within an independent cannabis-dedicated entity, specifically one in which our cultivation supply business can partner with a multi-state operator or leading cannabis brands.”

Minnesota adopts final rules that will allow cannabis licensing 🏁

Minnesota regulators can finally start handing out licenses to potentially hundreds of applicants that do not have to take part in this summer's license lottery, after publishing final regulations in the state registry on Monday. The state is allowing an uncapped number of microbusinesses, while retailers and mezzobusinesses (a license category that allows for multiple dispensary locations) must wait for their respective lottery. Over 600 social equity license applicants are first in line according to the state's Office of Cannabis Management.

New consumption lounge rules and a second license lottery in Maryland? 👀

The state's legislature sent SB 215 to the governor's desk that would clarify what would be permitted in a licensed consumption lounge. The bill also requires a disparity study to determine if subsequent license lotteries should be exclusive to social equity candidates.

Lawsuit accuses track-and-trace company Metrc of allowing illegal activity 🧑‍⚖️

A former employee of seed-to-sale tracking software company Metrc alleges in a new lawsuit that the company is “participating in a conspiracy” to allow illegal, interstate sales of cannabis. MJBizDaily has more. The case was filed in a federal court in Oregon.

Wana Brands President departs

Wana Brands President Joe Hodas said on Monday that this will be his final week at the company. Hodas joined as Chief Marketing Officer in 2020 and took over as President last year. Canopy Growth completed its acquisition of Wana in October of last year. 

Verano has a new CFO

Richard Tarapchak is replacing Brett Summerer as Chief Financial Officer of the The Illinois-based multistate operator Verano Holdings, the company said. The change comes about a month after the company announced a $342 million loss for 2024.

Curaleaf unveils new pre-roll brand 🇺🇸

Curaleaf CEO Boris Jordan announced on X the company’s new pre-roll brand, Anthem, which celebrates ‘American Grown’ cannabis. Ten-packs are available in New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and will come to Arizona and Florida later this month. 

NBA star to bring StayMe70 cannabis brand to New york 🏀

Soon-to-be Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Carmelo Anthony announced that he will be bringing his cannabis brand to the east coast after a successful launch in Oregon. The 10-time NBA All Star spent seven seasons on the New York Knicks and was also an NCAA standout for Syracuse. 

Cannabis biopharma company Avicanna reported its full-year results. The company reported a $12.9 million gross profit on $25.5 million of revenue, a 52% increase year-over-year. The

Zig-Zag to tower over Times Square for 4/20 🎉

This won't be the first time that Cannabis Now Media has advertised in Time Square for 4/20, but it will be the first from the media group to feature a week-long cannabis celebration in and around Time Square. Company founder Eugenio Garcia said the campaign was part of a larger effort to normalize weed consumption.