4/20 Fog Edition

As we collectively shake off our 4/20 fog and head into the week, read on…

4/20‍

None other than Alan Brochstein of New Cannabis Ventures was in Toronto last week and Tweeted about his experience on the way out. Certainly worth a follow

Ben & Jerry had something to say about 4/20 as well, and not only as the ultimate munchy cure…social justice and ice cream go hand-in-hand. Also worth a follow:

Alan, Ben, Jerry and…Steve… Steve DeAngelo had something to say about that CBD Carl’s Junior burger in Denver.

It wasn’t just Carl’s Junior that is making CBD food, a Pittsburgh Friend of Business of Cannabis, sent this along: Hippie & French infused ice cream sandwiches.

CNN waited until 4/20 to announced their new cannabis reporter.

And while we’re on traditional media talking cannabis, writing for the New Yorker, Steven Marche wrote: Canada Has Made Pot Super Boring.

Canopy’s favourite stoner Seth Rogen took the 4/20 opportunity to join the cannabis amnesty movement in Canada.‍

Business‍

Even with all the 4/20 focus, it was difficult to miss this game changing deal, where Canopy Growth is planning to acquire Acreage Holdings if/when cannabis becomes legal in the US. Could this cross-border deal portend things to come?

Speaking of things to come in the US, Horizon ETF launched its own US-focused cannabis ETF.‍

Retail!‍

The opening of Ontario cannabis retail shops has been slow, but seems to be picking up a bit. Nova Cannabis opened over the weekend (see BofC’s exclusive streaming interview from the soft opening). And Hello Cannabis in Hamilton is looking to open this coming week.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce had something to say about cannabis in Ontario – mostly about the need for more retail and how to get to that goal. Business of Cannabis co-founder and president Jay Rosenthal was quoted in the CBC version of the story:

“…I think the goal of every level of government is to drive out the black market and I think part of that is really finding more and better retail access for cannabis for consumers…”

Finally

The next few weeks will be busy ones for the Business of Cannabis team.

Thursday night, we will be live on the red carpet for the O’Cannabiz Industry Awards Gala…

Then, May 6-10, we will be diving headlong into Medical Cannabis Week. Last week we shared a few highlights, including our opening night event and reception at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Toronto and Henderson Brewing Company and our Canadian Club of Toronto luncheon on May 9th with keynote Peter Aceto, CEO of CannTrust. Stay tuned this week for many more updates.