Business Analysis | Cannabis Industry Journal

Featured Articles

May 3, 2021

How Private-Sector-Led Information Sharing Can Transform Cybersecurity in the Cannabis Industry.

By Andy Jabbour, Ben Taylor

In this article, veteran emergency preparedness and security professionals examine cyber security in the cannabis industry and showcase information sharing best practices that can provide a roadmap for the cannabis industry moving forward. The authors outline a strategy focused on three key pillars: Understanding the Threat, Assessing the Risks and Taking Action, and explain why Information Sharing & Analysis Centers/Organizations are valuable entities for any sector when developing threat security infrastructure.

April 29, 2021

Defining Hemp: Classifications, Policies & Markets, Part 1

By Darwin Millard

The cannabis plant is an incredibly versatile plant used in numerous applications: construction materials, textiles, composites, bioplastics, food ingredients, phytochemicals, CBD products, and so much more. Or is that hemp? In this two-part series, Darwin Millard takes the reader down the hemp rabbit hole and discusses how the global market has evolved the definition of hemp over time and the challenges posed by trying to have your cake and eat it too. Millard proposes that we adopt policies for market protection of hemp products through standardization, not bifurcation of the cannabis plant.

April 28, 2021

First in the South – Virginia’s Legalization Focuses on Public Safety, Health and Social Justice

By Gregory S. Kaufman, Jessica R. Rodgers

The criminal justice reforms and commitment to repairing harms related to past prohibition of cannabis are soon to be a present-day reality. Virginia is the first Southern state to take the path towards legal adult use cannabis. It is unlikely to be the last.

April 26, 2021

Americans for Safe Access Accredited to ISO 17065

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

A2LA issued their first ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation in the cannabis market last week to Americans for Safe Access (ASA) for their “Patient Focused Certification.”

April 22, 2021

Charlotte’s Web Poised for Canadian Expansion

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

Charlotte’s Web Holdings announced this week that they have just been approved for registration on Health Canada’s list of approved cultivars for 2021, allowing the company to bring their proprietary high-CBD strains into the country.

April 22, 2021

Canopy Growth Signs U.S. Distribution Deal

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

The foot-in-the-door agreement between Canopy Growth and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits will allow Canopy Growth to distribute their CBD beverage portfolio in the United States, also signaling the benefits of their relationship with Constellation Brands coming to life.

April 12, 2021

Five Things Every Cannabis Business Needs Before They Open

By Tim Allen

From licensing and bank accounts to installing the right shelves, here are a few things you should know before you open your doors to the public. Obviously, there’s going to be a lot of other hurdles and requirements that come with starting a business – but by remembering these five things, you’ll be off to a much better start than many others.

April 6, 2021

Political & Corporate Lobbying Influences Emerge in Cannabis

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

Two new lobbying coalitions have emerged recently in the cannabis legalization movement, sparking some support, some backlash and mounting skepticism. One is backed by the Koch family and conservative thinktanks and another by the tobacco and alcohol industries.

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Columns

April 29, 2021

How to Build a Brand that Lasts After Federal Decriminalization

By Frank Knuettel II

When it comes to choosing markets to get involved in, some choose to do it regionally and others seek out available markets regardless of geography or marketing segments. In Frank’s experience, organizing operations by region increases efficiency and profitability.

April 28, 2021

European Cannabis is Starting to Look Like the US Market 10 Years Ago

By Michael Sassano

While still a very immature market, Europe will follow its own path by acknowledging the failures and successes of other markets, blending them to form its own unique European model.

February 16, 2021

Soapbox

How Rare Cannabinoids Will Impact Investing

By Maxim Mikheev, Dennis O’Neill

There has been an explosion of interest in THCV recently, as well as a number of other uncommon cannabinoids. There will be big winners and losers in rare cannabinoid markets, but at the end of the day, the highest quality and lowest cost producers will capture most of these markets.

January 20, 2021

Cannabis M&A in the Post-COVID Era

By Jose Sariego

Prospects for the New Year are expected to continue the explosive year-end trend with a backlog of nearly $2 billion in deals heading into 2021. Growth is expected to be led by multi-state operators who have achieved scale, cleaned up their balance sheets and stockpiled dry powder for roll-up acquisitions.

January 7, 2021

Soapbox

Break Up Vertical Integration

By Ryan Douglas

In this excerpt from his book, From Seed to Success: How to Launch a Great Cannabis Cultivation Business in Record Time, Ryan Douglas offers an interesting take on the vertically integrated cannabis business model. He argues vertical integration is not in the best interest of the consumer and that businesses should identify their strengths and seek to specialize in one aspect of the supply chain.

November 18, 2020

Soapbox

The Cannabis Industry, After the Election

By Serge Chistov

In this op-ed, Serge Chistov provides his take on the election outcomes, some political musings and what to expect from the Biden administration when it comes to federal cannabis reform.

November 12, 2020

Soapbox

Being an American Cannabis Entrepreneur in Europe

By Michael Sassano

Michael Sassano, CEO of Somai Pharmaceuticals, discusses why Americans should be building cannabis companies in Europe, as well as challenges that may arise for American entrepreneurs looking to enter the EU market.

November 10, 2020

The Brand Marketing Byte

Spotlight on Aster Farms

By Cannabis Industry Journal Staff

In this week’s Brand Marketing Byte, we take a look at Aster Farms, based in Lake County, CA, who made a name for themselves on the Pioneer Intelligence list with sustainable cultivation practices and some earned media attention.

Professional Fields

Cultivation & Growing
Laboratories & Analytics
Edibles & Processing
Dispensaries & Retail

Upcoming Events & Webinars

June 29, 2021 – 12:00 pm – 4:20 pm

Cannabis Extraction Virtual Conference

The Cannabis Extraction Virtual Conference will take place on June 29. This complimentary event will have four webinar presentations, all back-to-back and on the same day. You won't want to miss this extraction and concentrates event. Stay tuned for announcements on the agenda, registration page and speaker lineup.