Author: CannabisNewsWire (CNW)

About CannabisNewsWire CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge. To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

420 with CNW – Medical Marijuana Dispensary Introduces its Own Credit Cards to Reduce Cash Transactions

Columbia Care, a medical marijuana company, has rolled out its own credit card as the cannabis industry struggles to find alternatives to having to deal in cash only.

Just like banks, credit card providers have been reluctant to embrace the marijuana industry because of fears that they would be sanctioned by the federal government since marijuana remains an illegal substance federally.

This has compelled most dispensaries to accept only cash, with ATMs being a frequent sight on the premises of dispensaries. Some dispensaries have designed systems which accept ATM or debit cards for making payments for purchases made.

Columbia Care has been running trials of its credit card in New York and it now plans to roll out this system in Chicago where it has a dispensary within the Jefferson Park neighborhood. Nicolas Vita, the company’s CEO says that patients spend approximately $144 each time they visit the dispensary in Chicago.

He added that the introduction of the credit cards will make it easier for patients to access the medical marijuana products that they need. He singled out patients who have mobility challenges and those who travel long distances to find a dispensary as some of the patients who may buy more products once they have the credit card. Buying more during a single visit reduces the frequency of making trips to purchase replenishments.

To get the credit card, patrons will be asked to use the tablet in the dispensary to fill a form. The credit card will then be processed quickly and the dispensary client will be in position to use that card during that same visit.

Columbia Care revealed that it is working hard to secure intermediaries and financial institutions in all the 12 states where the company has operations. Those partnerships will make it possible for dispensary clients to use the credit card in those other states.

Unlike other credit cards, the one issued by Columbia Care will not attract any fees. Its annual interest rate (15.99 percent) is also lower than the industry average (17.73 percent).

When the credit card was tested in New York, customers bought approximately 18 percent more products when using the credit card when compared to the purchases made when paying cash or using an ATM or debit card.

Other attempts have been made to find alternative ways to receive payments, but some of those methods border on illegality. For example, some companies accept credit cards but the purchases are reflected on credit card statements as spending at a florist’s while other companies ask clients to buy a gift card and then use that gift card to buy marijuana products.

Meanwhile, there has been a recent push by different groups, such as Attorneys General and banking associations, urging Congress to enact legislation bringing marijuana industry money into the banking system.

It would be interesting to know what industry players like Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) and Sproutly Canada Inc. (CSE: SPR) (OTCQB: SRUTF) (FRA: 38G) think about some of the unorthodox payment methods that some marijuana companies have resorted to.

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

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Acquisitions, Licenses, Research Key in Consistent Cannabis Market Growth

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The cannabis sector continues its steady shift toward big business and big money, with much of growth based on acquisitions, agreements and consistent research.

TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) (TCAN Profile) is focused on creating a large operation with various licenses and recognized brands, with several key acquisitions, being part of that strategy. Medmen Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQX: MMNFF) is in the process of acquiring PharmaCann, which recently received an extension to complete the development of its cultivation facility in Ohio. Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) just entered into a multiyear supply agreement that will help the company provide high-quality products to consumers in anticipation of the derivative market launching in Canada this fall. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) recently completed its acquisition of Manitoba Harvest, the largest hemp food company. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) continues its march forward as a leader in cannabinoid prescription medicines sector with its recent announcement of positive, top-line results of a Phase 3 clinical trial of Epidiolex® in the treatment of seizures associated with a rare and severe form of childhood-onset epilepsy.

  • Cannabis companies are engaging in multimillion-dollar acquisitions in growing numbers.
  • This strategy supports a consolidation of the industry as it moves from scattered creativity to efficient large businesses.
  • The trend is built in part on intangible assets, including brands, licenses and research.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

A Very Different Business

The image of the cannabis industry varies significantly depending upon an individual’s point of view. To supporters, the market is a transformative sector aimed at bringing the world together. Detractors call the industry one more vice threatening public morals. For many standing in the middle ground, the sector is a space where hippies and stoners can thrive but not necessarily one that encourages the buzz and dynamism of mainstream business.

In reality, the cannabis sector fits none of these images. The industry is emerging from its early nascent steps into legality to become a significant business sector much like any other, with all the elements of modern capitalism. This growth appears to be reflected in the sector’s recent burst of mergers and acquisitions.

Big-Money Deals

Certainly one of the most eye-catching aspect of mergers and acquisitions in the cannabis sector is the significant amount money involved. Take just two recent examples from a single company: TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8).

In the past few months, the Vancouver-based cannabis company has made announcements on two major deals. First came the acquisition of a 196,000-square-foot vertically integrated cannabis facility for a total purchase price of $15 million. Then came a letter of intent relating to Californian company Lyfted Farms outlining TransCanna’s plans to acquire Lyfted’s business and assets for $5.5 million.

By some standards, these might not seem like significant deals. But when a company is investing $20 million on expansion in the space of a couple of months, stability seems evident. That TransCanna can make these deals is a show not only of the strength of the company but also the strength of the industry.

The financial growth of the legal cannabis industry has been a positive move for everyone from company leaders to their lowest-paid employees. The legalized trade is pulling money out of the black-market economy and allowing those at the top to earn big bucks while also providing employees with a decent wage. Far from weakening the power of legal providers, paying employees properly is leaving them with enough money to go around buying up competitors, as TransCanna is doing.

Success has also brought funds from outside. From private individuals to big alcohol and tobacco companies, investors are pouring money into pot, allowing businesses to expand while keeping their employees happy. There are living wages at the bottom and big money at the top.

Tidying Up the Market

The progression of the legal cannabis industry started with a scattered approach. TransCanna is one of many companies that started in the market with a relatively small presence. Some began as entrepreneurs seeing a new industry within which to operate. Others were experienced cannabis cultivators moving from the illegal to the legal market. Still others were pharmaceutical companies dipping their toes into a new medicine and, from there, into the recreational industry.

As a result, the cannabis industry was initially made up of diverse and disconnected businesses. Now, however, the sector is moving toward a space of consolidation.

This doesn’t mean that the variety created in that early surge is being lost. When larger companies buy up smaller ones, the aim is often to continue supporting and growing the individual brands and styles the smaller companies have created. For example, TransCanna has announced the acquisition of GoodFellas, allowing TransCanna to take control of the Daily Cannabis Goods brand. TransCanna CEO Jim Pakulis has talked not in terms of absorbing the Daily brand into TransCanna’s existing identity but in terms of maintaining Daily and expanding its sales.

The consolidation of multiple brands and businesses into a smaller number reflects a dialectic process that’s common in new business areas. First comes a burst of creativity. With few precedents and no big players dominating the market, entrepreneurs and creatives have free rein. Some of their experiments fail, but the ones that succeed get consumers interested and fill the market with ideas.

While this creates plenty of exciting idea and products, it’s also inefficient. In the phase that follows, bigger companies step in or emerge from among the smaller ones. Consolidation creates efficiency, providing more reliable products for consumers and better value for companies.

The Power of the Immaterial

In the illegal market, product was the main focus for cannabis sellers. In the legal market, the focus is different. When a company relies on the full complement of marketing, intangible assets become important. That’s why GoodFellas is valuable to TransCanna — not just for its cannabis but for the Daily brand attached to it.

And while intangible assets are normally talked about in terms of brand and IP, there’s another sort of asset that gets much less publicity and that the cannabis industry is bringing to investors’ attention: legal licenses.

Licenses of various sorts are important for a wide range of industries, from food production to mining. But they have a particular prominence in the cannabis industry because tight regulation has created a scarcity of licenses. When TransCanna subsidiary TCM Distribution Inc. gained cannabis manufacturing and distribution permits from the City of Adelanto, California, it was an important step in the company’s growth within the state. And when a deal like TransCanna’s acquisition of Lyfted is announced, the target’s cannabis licenses are often mentioned. These licenses are a crucial asset and one that investors are concerned about. Without the licenses, the business can’t function.

The prominence of licenses is a new feature of investment for those going into cannabis. But it could be a feature that helps investors recognize these assets in other companies. Cannabis companies are increasingly about immaterial assets, and immaterial assets are increasingly about licenses as well as IP.

Keeping Profiles High

In such an atmosphere, cannabis companies are working hard on keeping their profiles high while building up their portfolios of products.

Last year Medmen Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQX: MMNFF) soared 60% in one week when the company announced the deal to buy PharmaCann. PharmaCann is working to complete its $20-million cultivation center, which must be operational before the acquisition can be completed to comply with Ohio law, which requires a licensee to have operating certification before transferring a license to another owner. The deal will double the number of states where Los Angeles-based MedMen has licenses to operate – expanding the firm’s reach to 12 states with 66 retails stores and 13 cultivation facilities.

The agreement between Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) and MediPharm Labs Corp. will supply Cronos Group with approximately $30 million of high-quality, private-label cannabis concentrate over 18 months and, subject to certain renewal and purchase options, potentially up to $60 million concentrate over 24 months. In addition, Cronos Group and MediPharm Labs have entered into a multiyear tolling agreement, where Cronos Group will supply bulk cannabis to MediPharm Labs’ state-of-the-art extraction facility in Ontario.

With the completion of the acquisition, Manitoba Harvest will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), leveraging the expertise of Tilray’s global cannabis industry expertise. “Tilray’s acquisition of Manitoba Harvest is a milestone for the cannabis industry,” said Tilray president and CEO Brendan Kennedy. “It builds on the strategic partnerships we have formed with consumer brand industry leaders and demonstrates our track record of disrupting the global pharmaceutical, alcohol, CPG, and functional food and beverage categories. We’re excited to work with Manitoba Harvest to develop and distribute a diverse portfolio of branded hemp-derived CBD food and wellness products in the U.S. and Canada.”

The newest test results from GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH), the world leader in the science, development, and commercialization of cannabinoid prescription medicines, expands the company’s knowledge of Epidiolex and its potential use beyond the current indications. “Data from previous controlled clinical trials of EPIDIOLEX have shown clinically meaningful seizure reductions and consistent safety and tolerability in children and adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome,” said Dr. Elizabeth Thiele, the lead investigator of the trial, director of the Herscot Center for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. “Based on the positive results of this trial in TSC patients, Epidiolex, if approved for this additional indication, may become an important treatment option also in this disease state with significant unmet medical need.”

The cannabis industry is clearly evolving with big money, consolidation and growing intangible assets playing pivotal roles in the growing strength and consistency of the sector.

For more information on TransCanna Holdings, visit TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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420 with CNW – Texas Governor Signs Bill to Expand Medical Marijuana Program

On Friday last week (June 14), Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that is focused on increasing the number of qualifying conditions for which patients can be licensed to use medical marijuana in the state.

House Bill 3703 gives doctors permission to recommend any patient who suffers from seizure disorders (intractable epilepsy, for example), spasticity, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, autism and several other conditions to access medical marijuana whose THC content doesn’t exceed 0.5 percent from the dispensaries licensed by the state.

Joshua Raine, an Army veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, is one of the patients who pleaded with legislators to include PTSD among the qualifying conditions for which someone can use medical marijuana.

He told the lawmakers that he has lost more friends (who are veterans) to suicide induced by PTSD than the number of friends he lost during combat operations. He admitted that without medical marijuana, he too could have committed suicide.

Blake Novacek is another patient who is likely to benefit from the enactment of this law. He was attacked violently during a fraternity pledge and that attack caused him to develop seizures. In fact, while waiting to talk to legislators during the debate on the medical marijuana expansion bill, Novacek started convulsing violently as the gravity of his situation showed itself at the state Capitol.

His father (a former Dallas Cowboys player) and mother pleaded to be given a chance to access medical cannabis legally so that they can save the life of their son. In the past, cannabis has helped massively, they added.

Texas is one of the most conservative states in terms of marijuana policy reform. The marijuana program in this state is so restrictive that the only form of medical cannabis allowed is cannabis oil whose THC content is much lower than what advocates say is required for therapeutic purposes.

Nonetheless, advocates are glad that the state has taken this modest step to expand the list of qualifying conditions from the very narrow version which has existed since low-THC cannabis oil was legalized as a form of treatment. Activists hope that more incremental reforms will be enacted until Texas’ medical marijuana program is at par with programs in other states.

Many Texans keep wondering how companies like The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) and The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) (OTC: FLWPF) handle the frustration of thinking that a major decision was made without paying ample attention to the scientific information available but instead unfounded fears took the day.

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

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420 with CNW – Canadian Companies Forced to Delay Launching “Cannabis 2.0” Products

The effects of the longstanding cannabis shortages in Canada are being felt far beyond the empty shelves in retail outlets. When recreational marijuana was legalized on October 17, 2018, a promise was made that marijuana edibles, vapes, CBD and beverages (so-called cannabis 2.0 products) would be available for purchase exactly one year later. Now the regulator has delayed the start of retail sales of those products citing a procedural requirement for the producers.

Health Canada, the regulator of the marijuana industry in Canada, held a briefing on Friday, June 14 in which the regulator informed the public that there would be a delay in rolling out the “cannabis 2.0” products for another two months.

Health Canada mentioned that while its rules would start being operational on October 17, it wouldn’t be possible for any edibles or other “2.0 products” to be sold until at least two months later. This is because the manufacturers of those products will start filing notices with the regulator of the products being brought to market and those manufacturers must then wait for a minimum of 60 days before starting to ship the products to the retail outlets.

It is believed that the 60-day window will allow the regulator to scrutinize those products and approve those which meet all the requirements in the law. In effect, retail sales will begin on Dec. 17 or thereafter.

The revenue generated from cannabis edibles and other second-generation marijuana products will not be reflected in the earnings of the fourth quarter (Q4) of this year. Instead, those figures will only become meaningful at the end of Q1 of 2020.

Canadian companies like Aurora Cannabis and Canopy Growth had been looking forward to launching the sale of these products because those products have performed excellently in the U.S. states which permit their sale.

These Canadian companies are therefore going to have no choice but to revise their revenue projections for Q4 of 2019 to reflect this delay to bring edibles, beverages and other “second-wave” marijuana products to the market.

On the other hand, marijuana companies shouldn’t be too concerned by the delay unless the cannabis 2.0 products were going to carry a bigger profit margin than the smokable flower which is chronically sold out at retail outlets.

Analysts are eager to know what marijuana industry players like VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) have to say about this latest announcement by Health Canada.

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

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Solid Profits Show Strength of Growing Cannabis Space

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The cannabis markets have already produced some amazing financial results, but all indications are the industry is only at the beginning of an impressive ascent.

Quarter-over-quarter sales growth is one of the indicators used to indicate upside potential. With that in mind, Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) (WLDFF Profile) revenues have increased 11 consecutive quarters, quarter on quarter, ever since the company started selling its hemp-based CBD products. Similar quarterly sales spikes and strategic acquisitions foreshadowed dramatic price increases in some of the largest names in the cannabis universe. Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) more than tripled its revenues from one year ago, both on a year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter basis, and Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) announced company-wide sales increased 17% in its fiscal second quarter. Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTC: TCNNF) grew its first-quarter 2019 revenues by 192% year-over-year to $44.5 million while Acreage Holdings Inc.’s (CSE: ACRG) (OTCQX: ACRGF) first-quarter 2019 performance showed revenues up 487% to $12.9 million.

  • Cannabis run is far from over, new winners emerging
  • Branding, marketing and retail reach signals of success
  • Year-over-year and sequential growth helps identify future potential

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Good Times Have Just Begun

Legal cannabis is a recent worldwide phenomenon, and the emerging market seems to have almost unlimited potential. The global legal marijuana market, valued at just $9.3 billion in 2016, is expected to blow past $146 billion within the next six years.

According to a United Nations report, cannabis is the most widely consumed drug on the planet, with approximately 270 million global consumers using cannabis, equivalent to about 4% of the world’s population, barely a dent in market penetration. As marijuana makes its way into the mainstream, usage among all age groups seems certain to increase. However, among the most coveted 18-to-34-year-old demographic, the acceptance appears to be increasingly widespread.

Millennials are about three times and Gen Z about four times more likely to use cannabis than aging Boomers. Seeing the numbers, savvy cannabis companies are moving forward full speed in product and brand development to capture this coveted demographic and market share, now and for decades to come. As public perceptions change and legalization increases, the number of users is certain to skyrocket in an essentially untapped market. A global transition is already underway. Growth trajectory is virtually vertical, presenting a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity.

Retail Reach

Founded in 2012 as a private company, Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) went public in 2014 and has seen impressive growth since day one. Wildflower is an integrated health-and-wellness company creating distinct brands that incorporate the synergistic effects of plants and their extracts. The company’s latest quarterly sales set records, up 78% over the previous quarter, validating corporate strategy, the popularity of its products and the continued expansion of market share. Intent on boosting revenue and earnings even further, Wildflower is about to finalize the acquisition of a preeminent cannabis retailer in Vancouver that also owns multiple cannabis licenses.

Wildflower’s latest press release is further evidence of the company’s rapid growth and global reach. The company reported third-quarter sales were up by 78% over the second quarter, the 11th consecutive quarter of revenue growth, since Wildflower Brands began selling products. On top of these stellar results the company is further expanding its retail footprint and product distribution with the accretive acquisition of Vancouver-based City Cannabis Corp.

City Cannabis is a premier cannabis retailer holding two of the three City of Vancouver licenses to sell cannabis and is the only company with multiple licenses in British Columbia. With margins of 50%, City Cannabis had revenues of $1.8 million for the reporting period that began with the opening of its two stores in early January. The combined quarterly revenues of Wildflower Brands and City Cannabis equates to an impressive $4.3 million. Wildflower expects to close on the City Cannabis deal before the end of June, and the acquisition will immediately be accretive to Wildflower’s earnings upon closing.

Bringing City Cannabis and Wildflower together will result in revenue operations in three U.S. states and two Canadian provinces with a combined North American target market of more than 75 million people. The positive net income generated by City Cannabis comes from just two operating properties, even though the company holds an additional seven leases at various stages of permitting approvals.

Commenting on the financials, Wildflower CEO William MacLean stated, “We are pleased with the financial results of both Wildflower and City Cannabis. Sales through every Wildflower distribution channel are up, and sales at City’s licensed retail outlets continue to grow month over month. The positive net income is particularly impressive with City Cannabis carrying a total of nine leases, which are at various stages of the permitting process.”

Grow, Grow, Grow

Already a solid presence in California, Wildflower owns 14 cannabis licenses for recreational and medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, retail distribution and delivery. Wildflower’s expansion into Canada with the acquisition of City Cannabis strengthens the company’s global growth strategy, which includes strategic distribution deals already in place in the European Union and South Africa. In addition to capturing revenues from retail operations, the City acquisition gives Wildflower another channel to market its enormously popular products and launch into the over-the-counter market with its CBD formulations and accessories.

Wildflower continues to capture ever-greater market share with innovation, retail expansion and a growing family of popular brands. The company’s strategic partnerships, acquisitions and organic growth are all bolstered by its marketing genius to lock in more loyal consumers. Grabbing national and celebrity attention, Wildflower used ingenious product placement during the 2019 Oscars by including its CBD+ Healing Stick in each of the gift bags of the stars.

The company has also employed an innovative pop-up store approach in SoHo, New York, to introduce Wildflower Wellness products. Wildflower identified a compatible high-profile retail venue and struck a deal with the outlet, then marketed its products in the upscale establishment for a limited time period, raising market uptake and visibility.

Big Names

In addition to fourth-quarter growth, Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) reported increased revenue generation from two states to five states by operationalizing both consumer packaged goods and retail business units, including strong branded products distribution and the opening of seven new Rise™ stores nationwide. “In just six months following our RTO in June and in the beginning of 2019, we have expanded the infrastructure for our consumer products and retail businesses to now include 13 production facilities and the ability to open 88 retail locations across 12 states including pending acquisitions,” said GTI founder and COE Ben Kovler. “At the same time, we have built an incredible team that is over 500 strong to support our strategy to distribute brands at scale. With the growth of our branded product distribution, new store openings and adult-use markets coming on line, we are very pleased to have more than tripled our revenues from one year ago both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter.”

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) earns its spot as a marijuana stock thanks to the company’s Hawthorne Gardening subsidiary, which ranks as the top supplier of hydroponic gardening products to the U.S. cannabis industry. In Scotts’ fiscal 2019 first quarter, this business contributed 47% of the company’s total revenue. SMG notes that each state’s cannabis industry and regulatory system are still in the process of maturing and says that “our experience growing an expansive, thriving business enterprise, and the company’s history of collaborating with government entities and other stakeholders to address difficult regulatory issues can provide invaluable insight and expertise to officials grappling with the challenges inherent in building comprehensive regulation for the cannabis industry. We are committed to working with regulatory bodies at all levels of government to help achieve these goals.”

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTC: TCNNF), a vertically integrated “seed-to-sale” company and the first and largest fully licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida, achieved its goal of reaching 30 stores by end of Q2 with 28 Trulieve dispensary locations operating in Florida, one in California, and one added through its Connecticut acquisition. As noted in announcing its first-quarter results, Trulieve estimates that its expansion into Massachusetts, along with its continued growth in Florida, Connecticut and California, will push 2020 revenues in the range of $380 million-to $400 million, generating $140 million-$160 million in adjusted EBITDA. “Our first quarter results reflect our ability to deliver on our strategic initiatives, translating into continued strong financial performance,” said CEO Kim Rivers. “In addition to delivering on strong financial results we also achieved many significant milestones in the first quarter of the year. Growth continued in Florida with the opening of four new dispensaries, completing the first sale of smokable flower in Florida, and settling with the Florida Department of Health, allowing us an additional 14 stores above the state cap…”

Acreage Holdings Inc. (CSE: ACRG) (OTCQX: ACRGF) is gaining ground as it works toward increasing its national footprint and expanding in the western United States. Despite delayed dispensary openings caused by local regulators in both Massachusetts and Ohio, the company grew its Q1 revenues by 487%. The company is also on the fringe of an acquisition by Canopy Growth (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC), a move Acreage founder, CEO and Chairman Kevin Murphy said “will provide us the ability to rapidly accelerate our growth plan as the transaction makes us the most attractive partner in U.S. cannabis.” Shareholders from both companies are voting on Canopy Growth’s potential acquisition of Acreage expected to “create greater shareholder value than as competitors in the U.S.”

Skepticism about the cannabis has disappeared; there’s little question about either the viability or the profitability of the newly respected cannabis sector. Significant money has already been made in the nascent industry, and it appears that a plethora of new winners will be created in the burgeoning sector.

For more information on Wildflower Brands, visit Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

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420 with CNW – Poll Shows Americans want CBD as an OTC Drug

A survey conducted by Gallup has found that the majority of Americans who are familiar with CBD (cannabidiol) want it available as an over-the-counter drug. The results of the survey were released on Friday last week (June 14).

The CBD craze traces its roots to the cannabis reform movement, and it gained momentum when the Farm Bill 2018 became law last year. This bill legalized industrial hemp and all its derivatives, including CBD.

The survey involving 1,017 participants was conducted over the phone in a bid to get insights into the widespread appeal of CBD. The interviews were conducted from May 15-30.

In all, 39 percent of the people polled revealed that they want to see CBD available as an OTC drug while 21 percent said CBD should be accessed using a doctor’s prescription. 36 percent of the people polled revealed that they weren’t familiar with this particular compound of hemp and marijuana plants.

When Gallup focused on those who were familiar with CBD and asked them whether CBD should be purchased as an OTC drug or as a prescription drug, 61 percent favored the OTC option while 33 percent preferred to see it as a prescription drug.

The participants in the poll were also asked to rate how familiar they were with CBD. 14 percent looked at themselves as “very familiar” with it, 33 percent felt they were “somewhat familiar”, 17 percent felt they were “not too familiar” while 36 percent confessed that they “weren’t familiar at all” with cannabidiol.

Gallup again narrowed its attention to only those who categorized themselves as very familiar with cannabidiol and asked them for their opinion about the medicinal value of CBD. 90 percent of this group believed that CBD had therapeutic benefits.

Of those who thought CBD had medicinal benefits, 33 percent said it had “a lot of benefits”, 45 percent felt CBD had “some benefits” and 14 percent thought cannabidiol had “a few benefits.” 3 percent were neutral on the matter while 4 percent said cannabidiol didn’t have any medical benefits.

Commenting about their findings, Gallup wrote that most Americans already believe that CBD has medicinal value even if research has been slow in proving or disproving many of the therapeutic benefits attributed to CBD. Gallup is convinced that the fraction of people who think CBD is medicinal is most likely to grow as more people get exposed to this non-psychoactive compound.

This possibility takes on a greater degree of certainty given that the FDA has already been convinced enough of CBD’s therapeutic benefits to the extent of approving a drug targeting rare forms of epilepsy.

The pressure on federal agencies like the FDA and Congress to pass laws legalizing CBD as a food supplement and other uses is therefore going to increase as the months go by.

Cannabis industry analysts are of the opinion that the Gallup findings didn’t catch industry players like Plus Products Inc. (CSE: PLUS) (OTCQB: PLPRF) and Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSX.V: OGI) (NASDAQ: OGI) by surprise.

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW – Congress to Consider Several Cannabis Amendments this Week

The House Rules Committee of Congress is set to hear almost a dozen amendments related to marijuana this week. This crucial committee will decide which of those amendments are cleared for a vote by the whole House. The amendments are being considered this week because those that pass will form part of the appropriations bill for funding sections of the federal government in the next fiscal year.

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have reintroduced an amendment intended to prevent the Department of Justice from using its budget to get in the way of states which have enacted their own marijuana laws. An existing spending rider only covers medical marijuana, but the proposed amendment takes this further and seeks to protect state-level recreational marijuana as well. This new amendment is similar to another which failed by just nine votes in 2015.

Another amendment before the committee was introduced by Rep. Stacy Plaskett (D-VI). This measure is intended to correct the inadvertent omission of the U.S. Virgin Islands from the list of states and territories whose medical marijuana programs are protected from Justice Department interference by a spending rider.

Rep. Blumenauer didn’t stop at the amendment he co-authored with McClintock. He also brought several other amendments on his own. One amendment seeks to bar the Department of Justice from interfering in the tribal medical marijuana programs even if the states in which those tribal communities are found haven’t enacted medical cannabis laws. Three other amendments filed by the legislator also protect tribal marijuana programs in various ways.

Two other amendments by Blumenauer touch on the Department of Veteran Affairs. One protects VA workers from being penalized for filing paperwork in compliance with state laws regarding medical marijuana. Another aims at protecting VA doctors from being penalized for any marijuana-related work they do in states where medical marijuana is legal.

The Rules Committee will also consider a measure tabled by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) seeking to divert $30 million from the funding allocated to the DEA. This money should go towards the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program. In this way, the DEA will fall in line with the current thinking that drug addiction is a public health concern rather than a crime.

Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) has also tabled an amendment containing a spending proposal for the FDA to undertake a process through which CBD (cannabidiol) will become legal as an additive in food supplements and conventional foods.

It is interesting to note that many of the amendments seem to be geared at introducing marijuana policy reforms using the appropriations process. The success of the spending rider placed on the DOJ years ago appears to have provided an example that advocates want to use to initiate incremental changes to the existing marijuana policies.

Analysts wonder what major cannabis industry entities like Net Element Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) and Nabis Holdings (CSE: NAB) (OTC: INNPF) (FRA: 71P) think about this change in strategy.

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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Acquisitions Reveal the Steadily Changing Shape of the Cannabis Sector

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The cannabis sector continues its steady shift toward big business, big money and a focus on the value add of immaterial assets.

TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) (TCAN Profile) has made several key acquisitions, creating a large operation with various licenses and recognized brands. HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE American: HEXO) has taken a similar path with the acquisition of Newstrike. Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) is building a positive public profile through releasing educational tools. Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA) has expanded the hunt for cultivation licenses to Germany. Meanwhile, companies such as Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc. (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF) keep releasing new products into the market.

  • Cannabis companies are increasingly engaging in multimillion-dollar acquisitions.
  • These support a consolidation of the industry as it moves from scattered creativity to efficient large businesses.
  • The trend built in part on intangible assets, including brands and licenses.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

A Very Different Business

The image of the cannabis industry varies hugely depending upon one’s point of view. To proponents, the market is a radical and transformative sector that’s bringing the world together. For opponents, it is one more vice threatening public morals. For many in the middle ground, it’s a space where hippies and stoners can thrive, though not one that encourages the buzz and dynamism of mainstream business.

In reality, the cannabis sector fits none of these images. The industry is emerging from its early, tentative steps into legality to become a significant business sector much like any other, with all the apparatus of modern capitalism and a focus on intangible assets such as intellectual property. All of this is reflected in the sector’s recent burst of mergers and acquisitions.

Big Money Deals

The most eye-catching aspect of mergers and acquisitions in the cannabis sector is the amount of money that goes into them. Take just two recent examples from a single company, TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8). In the past few months, the Vancouver-based cannabis company has made announcements on two major deals. First came the acquisition of a 196,000-square-foot vertically integrated cannabis facility for a total purchase price of $15 million. Then came a letter of intent relating to Californian company Lyfted Farms outlining TransCanna’s plans to acquire Lyfted’s business and assets for $5.5 million.

By the standards of some businesses, these might not seem like huge deals. But when a company is investing $20 million on expansion in the space of a couple of months, that certainly says something. That TransCanna can make these deals is a show not only of the strength of the company but also the strength of the industry.

The idea that there’s a lot of money in cannabis might not be surprising to anyone who’s seen TV depictions of the drug trade. Dramas such as Narcos show a world of high earners with big stacks of cash. But as sociologists such as Sudhir Venkatesh have shown, the reality for most people working in the illegal drug trade is vastly different. They earn less than minimum wage in jobs that are dangerous and uncertain.

The financial growth of the legal cannabis industry has therefore been a positive move for everyone from company leaders to their lowest-paid employees. The legalized trade is pulling money out of the black-market economy and allowing those at the top to earn big bucks while also providing employees with a decent wage. Far from weakening the power of legal providers, paying employees properly is leaving them with enough money to go around buying up competitors, as TransCanna is doing.

Success has also brought funds from outside. From private individuals to big alcohol and tobacco companies, investors are pouring money into pot, allowing businesses to expand while keeping their employees happy. There are living wages at the bottom and big money at the top.

Tidying Up the Market

The growth of the legal cannabis industry started with a scattershot approach. TransCanna is just one of many companies that have grown into the market from relatively small beginnings. Some began with entrepreneurs seeing a new industry within which to operate. Others were experienced cannabis cultivators moving from the illegal to the legal market. Still others were pharmaceutical companies dipping their toes into a new medicine and, from there, into the recreational industry.

As a result, the cannabis industry is cluttered with diverse and disconnected businesses. But now it’s moving on from this scatter-gun approach to a period of consolidation.

This doesn’t mean that the variety created in that early surge is being lost. When larger companies buy up smaller ones, it’s often with the aim of continuing the individual brands and styles the smaller companies have created. For example, TransCanna has announced the acquisition of GoodFellas, which will allow it to take control of the Daily Cannabis Goods brand. TransCanna CEO Jim Pakulis has talked not in terms of absorbing the Daily brand into TransCanna’s existing identity but in terms of maintaining Daily and expanding its sales.

The consolidation of multiple brands and businesses into a smaller number reflects a dialectic process that’s common in new business areas. First comes a burst of creativity. With few precedents and no big players dominating the market, entrepreneurs and creatives have free rein. Some of their experiments fail, but the ones that succeed get consumers interested and fill the market with ideas.

While this creates plenty of exciting idea and products, it’s also inefficient. In the phase that follows, bigger companies step in or emerge from among the smaller ones. Consolidation creates efficiency, providing more reliable products for consumers and better value for companies.

The contrasting approaches of small innovative companies and larger efficient ones together create excellent value. That’s the point the cannabis industry is now approaching and that TranCanna’s acquisitions are a part of.

The Power of the Immaterial

In the illegal market, all that mattered for cannabis sellers was the product. But in the legal market, things work differently. When a company can use the full apparatus of marketing, intangible assets such as intellectual property become important. That’s why GoodFellas is valuable to a company such as TransCanna — not just for its cannabis but for the Daily brand that’s attached to it.

And while intangible assets are normally talked about in terms of brand and IP, there’s another sort of asset that gets much less publicity and that the cannabis industry is bringing to investors’ attention: legal licenses.

Licenses of various sorts are important for a wide range of industries, from food production to mining. But they have a particular prominence in the cannabis industry because tight regulation has created a scarcity of licenses. When TransCanna subsidiary TCM Distribution Inc. gained cannabis manufacturing and distribution permits from the City of Adelanto, California, it was an important step in the company’s growth within the state. And when a deal like TransCanna’s acquisition of Lyfted is announced, the target’s cannabis licenses are often mentioned. These licenses are a crucial asset and one that investors are concerned about. Without the licenses, the business can’t function.

The prominence of licenses is a new feature of investment for those going into cannabis. But it could be a feature that helps investors recognize these assets in other companies. Cannabis companies are increasingly about immaterial assets, and immaterial assets are increasingly about licenses as well as IP.

Keeping Profiles High

In such an atmosphere, cannabis companies are working hard on keeping their profiles high while building up their portfolios of products.

Canadian cannabis company HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE American: HEXO) has, like TransCanna, been using acquisitions to build up its business. Originally a medical cannabis provider, HEXO joined the recreational market when Canada changed its laws last year. Since then, it has completed an acquisition of Newstrike, the parent company of Up Cannabis Inc, a licensed producer and distributor. It’s a deal that fits with the importance of immaterial assets. Licensing is important in Canada, both for production and distribution, and acquiring a company that is already licensed is the easiest way to expand a company’s footprint in the country.

Good publicity is another of the intangible assets that come with a good company, and few have achieved more publicity within the sector than Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC). When the company received a multibillion-dollar investment from Constellation Brands, it was the first time the sector had received such a big input of cash from outside, so the move drew substantial attention. Now the company is raising its profile in a different way, demonstrating its responsible attitude through the release of digital cannabis education tools.

Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA) has taken the hunt for intangible assets global, with the acquisition of five cultivation licenses in Germany. With the North American cannabis industry increasingly well established, Europe is the next big frontier, and Aphria is racing in ahead of many of its competitors.

All this work on intangibles would be useless without physical products to go with it, and product innovation continues at a high pace. Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc. (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF) has recently announced the release of hemp-extract CBD gummies designed help with calm and sleep. CBD products are an increasingly important subsector of the market, and products of this kind have potentially wide reach.

The cannabis industry is changing, with big money, consolidation and growing intangible assets, but it remains grounded in a strong consumer desire for cannabis.

For more information on TransCanna Holdings, visit TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

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420 with CNW – Maine Relaxes Residency Requirements for Recreational Marijuana Companies

The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee of Maine’s Assembly has voted 7-2 approving the draft rules for the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state. The approved rules relax the residency requirements included with the purpose of keeping out-of-state companies from moving in and controlling the recreational market at the expense of local companies.

The committee removed language that limited out-of-state players from having majority stake in recreational marijuana companies which operate within Maine. In its place, the committee left a provision to the effect that Mainers who have resided in the state for at least four years will have 51 percent ownership of any company to be licensed to conduct business in the recreational marijuana arena. This means that the local ownership can be several individuals or entities as long as their combined stake adds up to 51 percent in the company.

Erik Gundersen, the head of the Office of Marijuana Policy, said his office wants to see the tools which will make it possible for the letter and the spirit of the law to be implemented. He added that the law should be made by Mainers, within Maine and for the benefit of Mainers.

The Maine Office of Marijuana Policy was instrumental in including language which specifically sought to lock out large corporations from using out-of-state management contracts to dominate the local recreational cannabis market in the fashion of what is happening in Massachusetts and even in the medical marijuana program of Maine.

However, not everyone was thrilled with that proposal to lock out out-of-state companies. Some people said that the provision would be counterproductive because it would hurt the interests of Mainers in the long run since the capital and technical expertise of out-of-state operators was needed to kick-start the recreational marijuana industry. They cited the example of manufacturing equipment which costs millions and would be out of reach for most local investors.

Wellness Connection of Maine, the biggest medical marijuana company in the state, had even threatened to sue the regulator if the original text of the bill was retained in the final language of the law. The company felt that the provision about out-of-state companies was targeting it since it has complex management contracts with out-of-state operators.

The time at which marijuana companies should close their doors also generated a lot of debate in the committee. The original bill stipulated that retail outlets should close at 9pm, but this was changed to 10pm to avoid sending people to black market players. Law enforcement agencies had pushed for the 9pm closing time.

The committee decided that local authorities shouldn’t have the right to set their own operating hours for cannabis businesses. However, cannabis businesses could apply to open for extended hours and the regulator would consider their request on a case-by-case basis.

Now that the bill has been cleared by the committee, advocates hope that the entire House will vote on it before the legislative session ends on June 19.

Marijuana industry analysts hope that the cannabis industry, including players like Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) and VPR Brands LP (OTC: VPRB), will be happy that a robust debate was conducted and the strongest arguments won the day during the committee session.

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW – New York Legislators Could Vote on Cannabis Legalization This Week

As the countdown to the end of this legislative session in New York State enters the final stages, plans to legalize recreational marijuana have been revived with the possibility of a vote on the matter this week.

While momentum to get recreational weed legal appeared to fade once lawmakers in New Jersey announced that they were giving up on trying to use legislative means to end prohibition, advocates in the Empire State are brimming with optimism that lawmakers may have reached a deal and the bill will pass.

Democrats in both the Assembly and Senate held conferences last week in a bid to discuss the fine print of the legislation. Sources close to those who attended these meetings reported that the conferences went well and that the bill may have enough support to sail through.

On Saturday last week, the staff of the legislative leaders in Senate and the Assembly met those from Gov. Cuomo’s office to talk about the final language of the bill which will be put before lawmakers within the last days of the legislative session.

Earlier on Wednesday last week, the senate version of the legalization bill was given the “same as” status indicating that its language was identical to the language of the version in the Assembly. This is an indicator that both chambers agreed on the wording of the bill, and that is an early indicator of possible success when a vote is called.

The speaker of the Assembly, Carl Heastie (D), revealed on Friday that the Democrats hadn’t yet decided on whether to bring the matter to the floor of the House but added that the bill had support among the Democratic members of the chamber. Despite the optimism, analysts think that the bill is still short by two votes in the state Senate.

Sensing that the bill may soon be up for a vote, key state officials have been urging legislators and the governor to include a given list of provisions in the final text of the bill.

Letitia James (D), the State Attorney General wrote that the bill should include provisions to expunge all previous convictions for non-violent marijuana crimes.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) also pushed for expungement and added that the bill legalizing recreational marijuana should aim at empowering local businesses rather than big corporations.

The district attorneys of Albany County and Manhattan jointly wrote an op-ed urging lawmakers to end what they called “staggering inequities” and also promote public safety by enacting the bill to legalize recreational marijuana.

The legislative session will end on Wednesday, so lawmakers have a narrow window within which to schedule a vote in both chambers.

Industry watchers have been wondering whether marijuana industry players like SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) and Redfund Capital Corp. (CSE: LOAN) (OTCQB: PNNRF) (FRA: O3X4) experience as much tension when a major decision is due as what the people of New York State are experiencing in these final days of the legislative session.

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