THC + SXSW
Looking into the cannabis crystal ball at SXSW
Industry reps like Benzinga’s Javier Hasse and so-called ‘futurist’ Faith Popcorn were on hand at SXSW in Austin, Texas this week to look toward 2050 and discuss what the future holds for the evolving cannabis culture, reports the Austin Chronicle.
From the perspective of labour and employment, the “Taking Back Our Time: Finding Calm in Our Lives” and “Cannabis at the Office: Our Full and Best Self at Work” panels unpacked how cannabinoids could moderate the mood at work in positive ways—especially if a different version of ourselves is busy with tasks in the metaverse. “Cannabis is about homeostasis and creating balance,” claimed panelist Julian Cohen, CIO of Canopy Growth.
And experts also predicted a more sophisticated approach to the role of cannabis in wellness in the future. The “Dr. Me: The Role of Cannabis in Personal Wellness,” “Aging With Cannabis: Living Longer, Happier, and More Connected” and “No More Too Much: Farewell to the Bad Trip” panels all demonstrated how the true potential of cannabinoid science has come a long way, but is yet to be understood. Considering what could possibly evolve by 2050, the future’s looking awfully bright.
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HAVE RECORD, WILL PROFIT
Cannabis workers with criminal records could be exactly what you need
Employees with criminal records could give cannabis businesses an extra edge over competitors, reports MJBizDaily.
- They are often subject matter experts, according to Kobie Evans, the co-owner of Boston-based Pure Oasis
- And it’s not just cannabis-related offenses—one Pure Oasis employee had offenses related to graffiti, which came in handy when the company needed artwork
- And because of the harms of the War on Drugs, there’s a “strong moral argument” for hiring those with cannabis-related convictions
“I think it’s a ripe market waiting to be tapped into,” said Kika Keith, founder and CEO of Los Angeles retailer Gorilla Rx Wellness, where 10% of employees have convictions. “All we had to do was teach the compliance and the regulations, teach the policy side. Now you’re talking about diamonds in the rough, folks who have relationships, have knowledge of the plant, knowledge of how buying works.”
THE EVER EXPANDING PLANET
Nevada’s Planet 13 is expanding
Known for its massive 112,000 square-foot dispensary in Las Vegas, Nevada, Planet 13 Holdings is expanding to Jacksonville, Florida with a dispensary located beside a Walmart Superstore, reports The Street.
“This is the first signed lease of our initial six planned neighborhood style stores all focused on major population centers and heavily trafficked retail locations,” said co-CEO Bob Groesbeck.
According to New Cannabis Ventures, the company has already expanded to Orange County and is also shopping for space for another “superstore” in downtown Chicago.
A REAL STEAL
Sign of the times: ‘Distressed’ Cali retailers up for sale
Looking to make a late entry into California’s tough cannabis space? MJBizDaily sent out a sponsored newsletter on Friday advertising several distressed “must sell” retail businesses listed by Greenlife Business Group.
- In Oakland, a retail, delivery, manufacturing, distribution and on-site consumption business is listed for USD $1.75 million and is being sold via court-ordered receivership
- Listed at USD $1.5 million, a dispensary and delivery business in San Francisco is up for sale
- In Desert Hot Springs, another retail and delivery business is up for sale for USD $1.325 million
Those are just a few of the must-sells. Peruse Greenlife’s full set of cannabis business sale listings here.
