Melissa Adele Rosen

The term 'consultant' has a tarnished reputation in the #cannabisindustry. So many license producers have suffered hit and run from Tom, Dick & Harry, who isn't qualified to give advice as a cook in the kitchen. These type of consultants operates like soulless mercenaries, leaving these businesses financially strained and resource depleted. Then these cannabis entrepreneurs try to solicit reputable advice, only to find out their operations are left in a shit-show state from former bad consulting, and sometimes in a position of no recovery to stop the bleeding. If you choose to function like a soulless mercenary in this industry, you'll tarnish your reputation, and won't last in #cannabis. Do you agree?

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California tax revenue from cannabis has declined each of the last two years from a peak of 2021. (Source:DCC) Where do we expect 2024 to finish? It sure seems to be a broken system, with very few profitable operators. The state is trying, and AB 2223 will be a pivotal moment for the industry. Many brands have given up, and are finding better margins and consumer access in hemp, that allow them to do basic things like make payroll. I voted in favor of prop 64. At the time, I had faith that the state supported profitable industry to boost the economy and provide jobs. I didn't believe they had altruistic motives to improve access to a beneficial plant. I didn't think the mismanagement would be so bad that the industry would already be in a decline 3 years into it. Question: How much tax revenue would we generate for the state if we had low-dose cannabis beverages accessible everywhere alcohol was? How much would we need to tax cannabis beverages to achieve their goal? Allowing adult beverage producers, distributors and retailers to freely sell low-dose cannabis beverages isn't competing for revenue from the dispensary channel. People buy beverages where they already are. Someone ordering a Coke at McDonalds or a Red Bull at a concert wasn't going to buy the same drinks at a grocery store later that day. Please tell me where I'm wrong, or your ideas to fix this decline -

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"The co-owner of a San Francisco marijuana dispensary says it's a challenge to draw in customers lately. Nate Haas operates Moe Greens Dispensary & Lounge in San Francisco as co-owner and CEO. "We're charging our customers way too much. As a dispensary, it's tough for us to compete with the illicit market," said Nate Haas of Moe Greens Dispensary & Lounge. That black market includes #illegalgrow operations, #distribution, and #unlicenseddispensaries. California Governor Gavin Newsom touted #California as the largest legal cannabis market in the world, but licensed #cannabis #dispensaries are struggling to compete with the black market. Meanwhile, a team of law enforcement officers are cracking down on illegal operators. It's one part of the state's efforts to even the playing field and cultivate a #legal #marketplace. Kevin McInearny is a commander with the California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force. "We exist to specifically deal with the illicit market," said McInearny.  #UCETF officers raided what they say is an uncommon unlicensed dispensary in downtown #San Rafael, serving a warrant, detaining two individuals, and seizing all products. "Instead of single dispensaries, our focus is on #organizedcrime. The more significant violations associated with the cannabis market, including labor trafficking tax evasion the weapons charges," said McInearney. The state task force has seized more than $53 million in illegal cannabis in the first quarter of this calendar year and shut down several indoor operations in the Bay Area. "It starts with the cultivators. There is a lot of indoor cultivation in the area, especially in the East Bay mostly run by Chinese organized crime," said McInerarney.  Legal dispensary owners like Haas are skeptical law enforcement can make enough of a dent in the illegal market. They believe the only way to survive is if lawmakers slash taxes on cannabis products and more. "If you tax them out of existence which has happened to a lot of our growers, manufacturers and distributors, it's going to be difficult for a lot of people to continue," said Haas. A national survey conducted in 2022 by Whitney Economics, a cannabis industry #research firm, found that fewer than one in four cannabis businesses were profitable. "We want them to be successful. So in essence everything we do is either to protect the public or to support the legal market and generally those are the same thing at the same time," said McIneraney. "We keep cutting and cutting and cutting. With all those cuts, it's just a tougher environment," said Haas. Haas is optimistic despite the hurdles and challenges, and that everything won't go up in smoke just yet. Newsom created the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force in 2022. Since inception, UCETF has seized $371,199,431 in unlicensed cannabis through 236 search warrants." - CBS News

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Shout out to Food & Beverage Insider for featuring CuliNEX - Food Development Pros in their recent article on the revolution in clean label foods driving healthier eating trends. We're proud to be a part of this movement towards better food choices. At CuliNEX, we understand that clean label formulations not only benefit our health but also the environment and the overall food system. We always consider the impact of our products on sustainable ingredient sourcing and work towards strengthening the food industry as a whole. Check out the article and join us in this journey towards a healthier future. #whatsculiNEXT, #cleanlabel, #foodsystem, # https://hubs.li/Q02wwZQ20

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🍃 Are more tax cuts in store for Sonoma County's cannabis industry? Volatility in price, demand and tax burden have placed a huge strain on cannabis growers across the state. California eliminated the cultivation tax in 2022 to offer some relief, but additional proposals are being brought forth at the county level. "The moves came under mounting pressure from cannabis industry representatives, who pressed for greater relief from taxes and fees they said were squeezing smaller operators out of business or into the illicit market" As a result, Sonoma County has seen a huge drop in legal cultivators - 75 are currently operating in unincorporated areas, down from 155 in May 2023. #cannabis #cannabusiness #agriculture #data #analytics https://lnkd.in/gGgWDnDa

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As a former NFL player (“Not For Long”) turned CEO of PURIS, I've often encountered the bias that athletes should shy away from plant-based proteins due to their supposed lack of completeness. I’ve heard the well-intentioned yet misguided advice, “you can’t build muscle on a plant protein diet, whey is the only choice.” This belief system is deep into the subconscious of athletes, weekend warriors, and everyday people trying to consume more protein. So where did it come from? If you Google “is soy protein good for athletes,” the top suggested related searches point to the narrative that soy protein is bad for males. Historically, the plant protein inferiority theory was mainly focused on soy and the baggage soy protein carries. Depending on your beliefs on GMO vs non-GMO or how soy protein is made (using hexane), the narrative around soy protein was that it is bad for athletes, especially males, and has inferior amino acids (it doesn’t) Google is a search engine, but it's not always a truth engine. Studies debunk these old beliefs, showing that plant proteins, especially soy and pea protein, provide all the essential amino acids necessary for muscle building, recovery, and overall athletic performance. Pea protein stands out due to its high bioavailability, meaning your body can efficiently utilize the nutrients it offers. Sourced from the right suppliers pea protein is quite Google friendly! For example, research indicates that pea protein can promote muscle growth as effectively as animal-derived proteins. This is crucial for athletes looking to maintain and build muscle mass without relying on traditional animal sources. At PURIS, we want to have more conversations about this, not fewer. So, we are hosting a webinar with some prestigious panelists, including one specifically who has a unique perspective on the diets of the highest level of athletes. Jenna Stangland, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN, CLT is the sports dietitian for the Minnesota Timberwolves (competing highly in the playoffs, IYKYK), and she is joining PURIS to dive deeper into the science behind plant proteins and their Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Scores (PDCAAS). Our other important guests include (Dr Robert Wildman & James House). Don’t miss this webinar and do join the conversation in the comments below. Webinar Link: https://lnkd.in/gWGmGUJe

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Have you tried #LavenderSeaSalt? This slightly floral and aromatic #salt is more versatile than most people realize. I like to sprinkle it over roasted butternut squash, goat cheese/arugula pizza, and chocolate chip cookies while they're still warm. How do you like to use this #SpecialtySalt? #SeaSaltSuperstore #FlavoredSalt

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Cannabis startups are DEF a rollercoaster - 2 wks ago I was reeling from several gut punches... but today, things are looking bright: ✅ LOTS of new products in the pipeline that I'm SO pumped about... our Live Resin Vapes drop in NY before 710 and they're 🔥 🔥 🔥 . A bunch more new stuff I can't reveal them yet too… ✅ in NY, LIVE NUGS are in almost completely sold out - with most places re-ordering after < 2 wks selling a $100+ SKU! We’re getting a ton of inbound interest - shows that innovative products that deliver real value sell. Still early, but we should 2-3X our best month ever... NY as a market feels like it’s FINALLY getting its footing (hope I’m not jinxing us here). ✅ in CA, we've signed 4 MONSTER accounts since HoF and our new SKUs (esp Live Rosin Pre-Rolls and Live Rosin Vapes) are FLYING... it's painful for our cash flow to be scaling to meet demand, but feeling very positive about the turnaround in the most challenging state. About to sign up for the next big show in Sept… ❓thinking about expansion - though it's still early (wanna make sure our foundation & processes are solid in CA / NY)... but what potential partners should we be talking to in NJ for cultivation / processing / sales & distro? HMU via DM pls... None of this would be possible without our incredible team (Martin Mills, Cirona Labs, Peter Pietrangeli, Euphoric life , Lowell Farms Inc.) and our amazing retail partners. In general, I try not to get too high or too low - but feeling immensely optimistic about the state! Gotta celebrate the wins - as tomorrow I'm fully expecting to be punched in the face again LOL. BTW, in the rollercoaster analogy - which part is “good”? I assume it’s when you’re going downhill (despite Kevin Hart’s face)?! But then when we talk about life’s ups and downs or highs and lows - it’s the opposite right? Make it make sense?!

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🌿 BluRok Farm offers unique opportunities for private investors. Hear success stories from our existing investors and see how your investment can make a positive impact. Scan the QR code to donate or DM us to learn more about investing! #CannabisInvestment #HempBusiness #BluRokFarm

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“Prescription Cannabis - Smoking vs Vaping” • The landscape of prescription cannabis consumption has evolved, offering users diverse methods to embrace the plant’s benefits based on individual preference and desired effects • Two prevalent methods today are vaping and smoking • Smoking- Cannabis smoking, a traditional consumption method, involves inhaling the smoke from combusting dried cannabis flower • Vaping - Cannabis vaping has become a modern, popular method, offering a controlled and nuanced experience. Unlike smoking, vaping doesn’t involve combustion; specialized devices heat cannabis concentrates or flower to release cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor • Safety- Regardless of smoking or vaping, understanding health impacts is crucial • As cannabis ages, its chemical composition changes. Improper storage conditions can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes, impacting efficacy. Mold or mildew growth becomes a concern, posing health risks. Store cannabis in a cool, dark, airtight environment, regularly checking for signs of aging or contamination https://lnkd.in/ePdwVrGZ

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Everyone is talking about Foxtrot and rightfully so. I could talk about a lot of things on this subject. How raising too much growth capital leads to irresponsible spending that is hard to control, or how small format grocery is just tough even though enticing, or the pressures of retail that have been happening since well before the pandemic. All would great topics to cover. But I don’t want to talk about any of that. I want to talk about innovation. I think back to maybe 2008, when my friends Alejandro Vélez Ramírez and Nikhil Arora walked into a single Whole Foods store with a 5 gallon bucket of organic oyster mushrooms they grew in their fraternity house, and sold it in immediately, and how that led to a gardening revolution educating millions of kids on growing your own food. The power of retail embracing the new and the bold, and being equipped to do so. Reflecting on a recent conversation with Michael Besancon who spent so many years in a VP of purchasing role, who brought in SAMBAZON when nobody knew what Açaí was. What makes this so tough, is that Foxtrot started to represent that first step in retail, a validator, an important endorsement of the new and bold, and more importantly in a way that works for new and small brands. Yes you can launch your brand D2C, and you should if you can, but retailers are the ultimate influencers. They have a lot of followers, and we need that route to market in a way that works for brands. Daniela Wong who founded Senor Mango is a great example of a new brand that should have a platform, end caps, in store signage, shelf talkers, anchored distro. Why? Because her products are great, her brand is fun, and she is representing her family heritage and a unique variety called Kent that her family has grown for generations. She is also one of the most genuine and creative people I have met, and a bad ass woman founder based in Mexico City. That’s enough to take a chance on, and some are thankfully, but more should hop on and in a big way. There are so many great stories of founders putting everything on the line to make it happen, and bringing true innovation to the table. There are plenty of me too products to filter through also, but when we see the real new, the bold new, we need the retail platform to endorse. Discovery will always be the biggest advantage you have as a retailer, so let’s go! If Foxtrot demise could lead to more off cycle innovation in other massive platforms, it would all be worth it. #innovation #emergingbrands #groceryretail Victor Guardiola Max Kabat Will Ahearn Adam Spriggs Emily M. Lindsay Robb Carlotta Mast Jessica Rubino Katrina Tolentino Kathryn Flouton Isabella "Bella" H. Candice Choi

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"Lori's Original Lemonade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe: Ingredients: - 1 cup Lori's Original Lemonade - 1/2 cup fresh organic strawberries, sliced - 1 tablespoon organic honey (optional) - Ice cubes - Fresh mint leaves for garnish Instructions: 1. In a blender, combine Lori's Original Lemonade and sliced strawberries. 2. If desired, add honey for extra sweetness. 3. Blend until smooth and well combined. 4. Fill glasses with ice cubes. 5. Pour the strawberry lemonade mixture over the ice. 6. Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a burst of flavor. 7. Stir gently and enjoy your homemade Lori's Original Lemonade Strawberry Lemonade! 8. For an extra refreshing touch, chill in the refrigerator before serving. Sip, savor, and feel refreshed with every delicious sip of this Lori's Original Lemonade-inspired creation! 🍓🍋 #LorisLemonade #StrawberryLemonade #HomemadeRefreshment"

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Some key learnings from this interesting article in the LA times about pesticides in what is advertised as a legal and safe cannabis industry in California. 1) Real journalists play a key role in protecting the public. With faith in institutions and companies both seemingly at a low, Alex Halperin and the LA Times are driven by finding out the truth. 2) It's important to be an informed consumer. Now - I'm staying away from distillate vapes as a category. I don't think I've ever bought one, but certainly been gifted many that I've consumed. 3) High integrity, skilled, business operators like Josh Swider deserve our patronage. Business owners only driven by profit will cut corners. I read the quotes of "our products passed testing by a certified lab" as an omission of guilt. The Department of Cannabis Control lacks the skill or focus to keep us safe. I know it's hard to value integrity in this struggling industry, so when we spot it, we must highlight it. I will only buy products certified by labs I trust going forward. My faith in most brands and the DCC is now eroded. Outstanding piece of journalism. I look forward to more of these pieces about the broken promises and failures of the state run cannabis industry in California. https://lnkd.in/eKk6H3dG

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The One Measure Every Cannabis Firm Needs to Care About All MSOs and LPs want to reduce/avoid cost and increase profits over the long term. After capturing the low hanging fruit (e.g., implementing layoffs) what is left to do, short of divesting assets?  Boost productivity. Productivity is about getting more output for a given input.  Think of it as increasing the number of PCs you could produce over a period with a given workforce and asset base.  However, productivity is much more than throughput.  Highly productive companies can also defer hiring, scale easier, and limit costly errors.  Some will disagree, but the impact on your workforce is irrefutable:  productivity gains lead to higher wages, more engagement, and enhanced skills. Productivity is a simple idea but with lots of complexity.    In my experience, unlocking productivity gains require improvements in one or more of the following drivers: 1. Raising employee skill levels through regular training schemes;   2. Deploying labour saving automation and IT; 3. Cutting organizational flabbiness (i.e, bad practices, rules and structures) and;     4. Optimizing compensation programs to incentivize greater effort, innovative thinking etc. Before embarking on a productivity-lifting journey, it’s important to know where you want to see improvement and how you will measure it. Some commonly understood (albeit crude) productivity metrics are units or kgs produced or revenue per employee.  With today’s market dynamics, some MSOs and LPs may want to consider gross profit or net income per employee as their measure. Choosing the right mix of productivity drivers will depend on your business model, quality of management, level of IT & organizational development and culture.  Some methods such as tweaking sales team quotas can yield quick results but also introduce bad behaviors.  Other strategies like upskilling your staff could take a year or two to generate a ROI. The rate of productivity growth also depends on your starting point.  If you begin with a low level of IT, automation or skills, the incremental return on capital and productivity jumps will be very high. However, the improvements tend to slow down after initial or big leaps.  There’s no ‘silver bullet’ to boosting productivity.   Enhancements in areas like cultivation yields or marketing performance will typically advance at a ‘slow burn’ pace.  My cannabis data suggests that about 50% of productivity rewards happen when each worker has more data, IT and equipment at their disposal - and knows how to use it.  Increasing productivity, therefore, will be as much about investment as anything else.     Subscribe to my free newsletter (link in comments), the Cannabis Management Review, for more unique content. 🔔 Hit that follow bell to always get my unique, impactful content #cannabisindustry #productivity #cannabis #operations #costs #cannabiscultivation #MSOS #LPS

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Colorado’s cannabis market, once a success story, has now left a trail of failed businesses and cash-strapped entrepreneurs in its wake. Regulatory burdens, an oversaturated market and increasing competition from nearby states have all landed major blows, leaving other states with newer marijuana markets scrambling to avoid the same mistakes. For years, Colorado’s marijuana market minted successful local entrepreneurs who bootstrapped small businesses into national brands. The market drew aspiring cannabis professionals from across the country, whether ambitious college grads with a business idea or investors looking to get in on the green rush. In 2020, the market soared to $2.2 billion. But just three years later, sales had plummeted to $1.5 billion, leading to layoffs, closures and downsizing. The market downturn has spelled trouble for state finances too: Colorado took in just $282 million in cannabis tax revenues in the last fiscal year, down more than 30 percent from two years earlier. A messy assortment of factors has led to the pioneering industry’s struggles. A supply glut caused weed prices to plummet in the wake of the pandemic. The spread of cheap, largely unregulated intoxicating hemp-derived products further heightened competitive pressures. And marijuana remains federally illegal, subjecting operators to sky-high taxes and costly regulations. “It’s like the wind in our cannabis sails in Colorado has just been sucked all the way out,” said Wanda James, founder of Denver dispensary Simply Pure, one of the first recreational dispensaries in the state. But more than any other factor, Colorado’s market has been sapped by the rapid spread of legalization across the country. Neighbors New Mexico and Arizona are among the 24 states with their own adult-use legal marijuana markets, wreaking havoc on the business plans of dispensaries on Colorado’s southern border. Tourists who once flooded the state for the opportunity to legally experience Rocky Mountain highs have largely disappeared as the novelty has worn off. Even Texans aren’t driving north to buy weed anymore, satisfied with the proliferation of intoxicating hemp products in their own state. Colorado’s trailblazing cannabis market is now a cautionary tale for states with their own nascent weed programs. A top New York cannabis official recently pointed to Colorado’s dramatic marijuana market downturn to justify regulators’ hesitance to issue too many licenses at once. “We’re a victim of our own success,” said Jordan Wellington, a partner at Denver-based cannabis policy and public affairs firm Strategies 64. The number of total cannabis licenses in the state dropped more than 16 percent in the past year alone, according to state data. Cannabis jobs also dropped 16 percent in that same time, according to Vangst’s 2024 jobs report. It was the second straight year of job losses.

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Great article and thanks for the FABID mention Deena Shanker. The reset will benefit the industry long term.

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#Cannabis #Capital is hard... want to know what's harder? Playing #whackamole with the #facility that you built "cheaply" with all that capital that was so hard to raise in the first place. Good - Fast - Cheap You only get 2/3. It's an age old saying in design/construction industry and remains ever true today. Also, there is a HUGE difference between "Less expensive" and "Cheap", these are not synonymous. I have seen the inside of a LOT of facilities in my time here in industry (millions of SF). The numbers in the #GMR Morning Rise newsletter issued this morning do NOT surprise me at all. A lot of these operators would STILL have losses even if it were federally legal. Why? Massive inefficiencies in their supply chain and the #FixedAssets that undergird their entire operation, which would never be tolerated in the mature conventional #CPG, #Pharma, or #Agriculture markets. Lost revenue from equipment (or plant harvest) failures are absolutely crushed by rising maintenance (usually vendor-driven) costs create a vise that destroys your P&L from the #topline to the #bottomline. The real bottom line? Your #ExecutiveTeam needs help to interpret the #value of your #FixedAssets. Most don't have any real engineering or construction experience (Retail experience does not equal manufacturing experience), and most line operators that "make do" with what they've got can't explain why they keep #Losing. It's a morale destroyer to repeatedly "hit your head against the wall" by failing repeatedly in different ways each time. It's like you "just can't win". Production line operator turnover is a good indicator of this and adds significantly to your bottom line losses. Let #Gillie help you unlock the potential of your #Facilities, because they're called #FixedAssets not #FixedLiabilities #TechnicalAdvisory #FacilitiesManagement #Cannabis #Design #Construction #Maintenance #KnowBeforeYouGo #ChooseTheRightPath

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“It’s like the wind in our cannabis sails in Colorado has just been sucked all the way out,” said Wanda James, founder of Denver dispensary Simply Pure, one of the first recreational dispensaries in the state. A messy assortment of factors has led to the pioneering industry’s struggles. A supply glut caused weed prices to plummet in the wake of the pandemic. The spread of cheap, largely unregulated intoxicating hemp-derived products further heightened competitive pressures. And marijuana remains federally illegal, subjecting operators to sky-high taxes and costly regulations. But more than any other factor, Colorado’s market has been sapped by the rapid spread of legalization across the country. Neighbors New Mexico and Arizona are among the 24 states with their own adult-use legal marijuana markets, wreaking havoc on the business plans of dispensaries on Colorado’s southern border. Tourists who once flooded the state for the opportunity to legally experience Rocky Mountain highs have largely disappeared as the novelty has worn off. Even Texans aren’t driving north to buy weed anymore, satisfied with the proliferation of intoxicating hemp products in their own state. #coloradocannabis #cannabisindustry #simplypure #wandajames #cannabismarket #coloradocannabismarket https://lnkd.in/gpGxG8mA

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