Tag: Arizona

Trulieve Kickback Allegations Highlight Systemic Problems in Arizona

September 26, 2023 · Green Market Report

Trips to the Bahamas. Rolex watches. Expensive cars. Exclusive concert tickets. Or literally just bags of cash. Those are all ways used by independent marijuana brands in Arizona to buy their way onto dispensary shelves, according to several industry insiders, responding to the news that multistate operator Trulieve Cannabis Corp. – which runs 21 dispensaries in the state – filed a lawsuit against former employees alleging a “commercial bribery” scheme. “Those are all the same concepts. It’s all just paying for shelf… Read more.

Curaleaf Dispensary Workers Strike In Arizona After Company Fails to Negotiate Contract

September 19, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Workers at a Phoenix, Arizona cannabis dispensary went on strike last week after the company, Curaleaf Midtown, failed to negotiate a contract despite the workers voting to join the UFCW Local 99 in June 2022, FOX 10 Phoenix reports. The strike marks the first time cannabis industry employees have gone on strike in Arizona.  The workers are demanding better pay and benefits, better working conditions, and safety. They are also demanding that Curaleaf Midtown reinstate a recently fired worker and start advancing union contract negotiations. According… Read more.

Arizona Marijuana Business Sues Over ‘Unlawful’ License Transfer As State’s Social Equity Program Comes Under Scrutiny

August 31, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

When Arizona set out to legalize marijuana, backers emphasized their intent to make the program equitable and ensure that those who had been most hurt by cannabis criminalization were given priority in the new marketplace. Now, a new lawsuit is raising questions about whether the state is adequately meeting those equity goals. Of 26 business licenses that the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) awarded last year to social equity applicants, nearly all are now owned by other companies or… Read more.

Arizona stores recall marijuana products for third time this summer

August 11, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Arizona marijuana stores are voluntarily recalling edibles products for the third time this summer – this time out of concern they might be contaminated with salmonella bacteria. The latest recall is for Phoenix-based Nirvana Center’s Cloud 9 gummies, a grape-flavored, cannabis-infused edible under the batch number C9G04102023, according to the Tucson Sentinel. After spotting the potential contamination on testing documentation, a licensing inspector for the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) notified the facility that manufactured the products. The manufacturer then notified… Read more.

Arizona Marijuana Monthly Sales Pass $100M for First Time in March

June 29, 2023 · Green Market Report

Recreational sales for the month rang in at $100.7 million. Arizona recreational marijuana sales passed the nine-figure mark for the first time in March since the adult-use market launched in January 2021, according to data from the state Department of Revenue. That month, recreational cannabis sales inched past the threshold for a final tally of $100.7 million, in addition to $32 million in medical marijuana sales. In April, however, the adult-use market came down a bit and hit only $86.4 million… Read more.

Six Years, Six CFOs At MedMen As Bowman Becomes Latest To Leave

June 19, 2023 · Green Market Report

After the markets closed on Friday, MedMen Enterprises Inc.  (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQX: MMNFF) announced the resignation of Ana Bowman as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 29, 2023. Bowman has served as CFO since 2022 and MedMen has begun a formal search for a new CFO. “We thank Ana for her leadership and guidance during MedMen’s restructuring. Ana was instrumental in helping us achieve positive adjusted EBITDA for the last two quarters,” said Ed Record, MedMen’s CEO. “We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”… Read more.

Budtender Diaries: A pocket dictionary of cannabinoids

June 8, 2023 · Tucson Weekly

Cannabinoids are a beautifully fundamental aspect when it comes to consuming cannabis. There are more than 100 known cannabinoids — naturally occurring compounds within the cannabis plant. A handful of major players are found in commercial cannabis products. In the human body, cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors, also referred to as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex and important network that works to help regulate pain, appetite and even inflammation. When cannabinoids are used in conjunction with… Read more.

Arizona bill aims to expand shrinking medical marijuana market

June 3, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Flag of Arizona state, United States. 3D illustration

A bill making its way through the Arizona state legislature aims to significantly cut the price of medical marijuana cards, at a time when MMJ sales and patient registration have fallen dramatically. SB 1466, which passed the state Senate in March, would lower the price of MMJ cards from $150 to $50 for the general public, according to Phoenix New Times. Veterans would receive cards for free, the newspaper reported. The bill also would expand the list of qualifying conditions to include… Read more.

Arizona Appeals Court Rules that Some Convictions for Cannabis Sales are Eligible for Expungement

June 1, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The Arizona Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled that some convictions for cannabis sales are eligible for expungement under the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization law, AZ Mirror reports. In the unanimous opinion, Judge Brian Furuya reversed a previous ruling from a Maricopa County Superior Court judge that denied expungement of a man’s 2014 cannabis sales conviction. The appellate court order forces the trial court to grant the expungement petition.   The appellate judges concluded that, because transportation of cannabis is now eligible for expungement, and because transportation of cannabis for… Read more.

Arizona to Invest $5M Into Psilocybin Research

May 16, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) last week signed the state’s $17 billion budget bill into law; the budget includes about $5 million dedicated to whole-mushroom psilocybin research, the Arizona Mirror reports. Renowned medical cannabis and psychedelics researcher and principal investigator at the Scottsdale Research Institute Dr. Sue Sisley — who had pushed for the funding — said the $5 million was a good starting point for medical psilocybin trials. Additionally, the funding’s emphasis on whole mushroom research makes it unique from most other studies… Read more.

Arizona voters made a huge mistake when we legalized recreational marijuana

April 17, 2023 · Yahoo!News

Everyone talks about the homeless problem, and now the DUI problem, but never addresses what has really changed in Arizona. The decision to legalize cannabis was a major mistake, especially after seeing the negative effects it had on Colorado after that state legalized recreational marijuana before the pandemic. The gateway drug is now legal, and the access to all drugs is out of control. We cannot blame this on our county officials. Unfortunately, we the voters created this new environment. (Full Story) Read more.

Celebrate 420 in Phoenix with these 10 events and deals, from comedy shows to a block party

April 13, 2023 · Yahoo!News

Dispensaries across metro Phoenix are celebrating April 20 — also known as Weed Day — with block parties, giveaways and deals three years after recreational marijuana was legalized in Arizona. Some events will take place on the actual holiday while others have delayed the celebration by a day so people can celebrate on a Friday (April 21). The "dopest" block party will return to the streets of downtown Phoenix for its second year and a "transcendent" cannabis-infused dining experience will… Read more.

Arizona part of national crackdown effort on hemp-derived Delta-8 THC

March 28, 2023 · Axios

Arizona is among several states moving to crack down on delta-8 THC, a hemp-derived substance that's largely unregulated. The big picture: Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas and Virginia are all eying legislation to close delta-8 sales loopholes over concerns that kids could consume it, Axios' Tina Reed reports. Details: Delta-8 is chemically similar to delta-9 THC, which is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. It's manufactured from the cannabidiol, or CBD, that occurs naturally in hemp. Many users report the high that results from consumption… Read more.

1st Arizona cannabis store owned by Black woman to open 4/20

March 23, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Marijuana entrepreneur Marvina Thomas is the first Black woman to own a legal cannabis store in Arizona. Thomas, who also owns and operates a legal marijuana outlet in Las Cruces, New Mexico, “entered into an agreement to operate and acquire” the Arizona Wellness Center in Safford, spokesperson Sadie Thompson told MJBizDaily. That permit was one of six new licenses issued earlier this month, Thompson said. David Fowler, co-founder and executive director of the Marijuana Industry Trade Association of Arizona (MITA-AZ) , confirmed to MJBizDaily that Thomas is… Read more.

Bill to Add Autism and PTSD to Arizona Medical Cannabis Program Passes Committee

March 22, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A bill proposed in Arizona would allow patients with autism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to access medical cannabis products in the state, the AZ Mirror reports. The measure passed the House Health and Human Services Committee 7-2 on Monday.  Earlier this month, the legislation was approved by a bipartisan 24-6 vote in the state Senate and will move next to the full House after approval by the Health and Human Services Committee.  During testimony on the measure, Aaron Jacobs, the father of a… Read more.

Tilt Holdings marijuana vape subsidiary Jupiter Research refinances debt

March 15, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Jupiter Research, a marijuana vape cartridge subsidiary of Phoenix-based Tilt Holdings, refinanced and extended its revolving credit facility. The amount of credit available to Jupiter increased from $10 million to $12.5 million, according to a Tuesday news release. The debt now matures July 21, 2024, instead of July 2023. The interest rate is the prime rate plus 3%. The funds are secured against Jupiter’s property, inventory and accounts receivable as well as through a $6 million guaranty from Tilt. Jupiter initially entered… Read more.

The Flower Shop Reimagines Retail Cannabis In Multiple Markets

February 23, 2023 · Forbes

Women-led multi-state operator The Flower Shop is focused on curating a larger selection of cannabis flower and products in a growing number of state markets. The company showcases artisan and craft cannabis products in a reimagined retail setting tailored to appeal to both men and women. “We operate in Arizona, Utah, New Jersey, and we will be going to Florida—hopefully soon,” says President of The Flower Shop Greta Brandt, as the company is currently securing licensing in the newer states. As president… Read more.