New Look. New Opportunities. Reinvention.
As we enjoy the foliage and leave October for the November election and the start of the holiday season, CWCBExpo is excited to launch our new look and reinvent ourselves as Cannabis Means Business (CMB).
“This evolution is a significant shift in the landscape of cannabis industry events and reflects the needs of today and the future of the industry.”
– Christine Ianuzzi, CEO, Founder, Cannabis Means Business
Cannabis Means Business (CMB) is a new vision for the show previously run as CWCBExpo. This evolution is a significant shift in the landscape of cannabis industry events and reflects the needs of today and the future of the industry.
Taking place June 4-5, 2025 at the Javits Center in New York, this transformation to CMB reflects a growing recognition of the cannabis sector’s evolution and its increasing relevance in business discussions across a multitude of industries in the US and around the world.
CMB–New York Global Edition will serve as a dynamic platform that encompasses an impactful range of topics, emphasizing the integration of cannabis into mainstream business practices. The event will foster an environment where industry professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and key stakeholders can engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of cannabis and New York’s growing influence as a global hub.
“The Politics and Medicine of Cannabis: A Multi-state Approach.”
In keeping with the political season, and with many states having ballot measures up for a vote on election day, we feature one of the sessions from our June 2024 conference, “The Politics and Medicine of Cannabis: A Multi-state Approach.”
This session holds a timely relevance as 40 states have passed laws for medical and/or adult-use of cannabis – without waiting for changes on a federal level to cannabis regulations.
Read more about this session at the bottom of this newsletter, or click here to view the session now.
Rescheduling News
Rescheduling Decision Delayed
DEA Hearing Delayed Until 2025
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) just announced (on November 1), that the scheduled December 2 hearing, with testimony and witnesses, will be delayed into 2025.
Before this delay, the DEA had just begun to notify the selected participants who would speak at the December 2 hearing. The purpose of this hearing was for the DEA to gather more information from stakeholders and experts on the issue of rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. Applicants submitted a letter requesting to speak at the hearing.
New York State Cannabis News
New York State Office of Cannabis Management, Cannabis Control Board
Noteworthy happenings have transpired this month regarding New York State and its efforts to strengthen and expand the build-out of its cannabis industry efforts. Among them include:
- The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) held a meeting on October 17, 2024. At the meeting they reported that the total Cannabis Retail Sales amount is close to reaching $700 million. Other valuable stats were reported about NYS cannabis sales, dispensaries, licensing, etc.. To learn more about what transpired at this decisive and informative meeting, read through the meeting slides: https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/10/october-10-2024-ccb-meeting-deck.pdf
- The public comment period ended on October 28, 2024 regarding the proposed amendments to marketing and advertising cannabis and cannabis products in NYS. Proposed amendments were filed by the NYS CCB to the Department of State to Parts 128 & 129 Packaging, Labeling, Marketing and Advertising Regulations. The full list of the proposed regulations can be found here: https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/08/exprs-trms-prts-128-129-amend-final.pdf
- NYS opened up the application process for Adult-Use Processor Type-3 Branding licenses. Though not a plant-touching license, it allows the licensee to enter into white labeling agreements with NYS licensed cannabis processors who will manufacture a brand’s cannabis products. Stipulations as to what this Type-3 Branding License does can be found here: https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/answers/cms/a_id/3833
- NYS launched a grant application program called the Community Reinvestment Program. This program aims to fund non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting young people in under-served and under-resourced communities. This program will be funded by legal adult-use cannabis sales in line with the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) which legalized Adult-Use cannabis sales in NYS. Read more about the grant program here: https://cannabis.ny.gov/reinvestment
- Since MRTA was introduced in 2021, much has occurred in NYS and its efforts to build its legal cannabis industry. A comprehensive Implementation Report on MRTA was issued by the NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Download the report here: https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/10/mrta-implementation-report.pdf
Congratulations to These Recent Adult-Use Dispensary Openings
Bayside Cannabis Dispensary
OAKLAND GARDENS | 224-15 Union Turnpike, Oakland Gardens 11364
Website: https://baysidecannabis.com
Secret Garden 716
BUFFALO | 1363 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo 14209
Website: https://secretgarden716.com
Back Home Cannabis Co.
STONE RIDGE | 3056 State Route 213, Stone Ridge 12484
Joint Jungle
LIBERTY | 187 Mill Street, Suite 6, Liberty 12754
Website: https://jointjungleny.com
FingerLakes Cannabis Co
VICTOR | 5 Railroad Street, Victor 14564
Website: https://flxcannaco.com
Catskill Mountain High
KINGSTON | 308 Plaza Road, Kingston 12401
Website: https://catskillmtnhigh.com
Brown Budda New York
SOUTHAMPTON | 1533 Country Rd 39, Southampton 11968
Website: https://brownbuddanewyork.com
Collegetown Dispensary
ITHACA | 105 Dryden Road, Ithaca 14850
Website: https://collegetowndispensary.com
NUGHUB NY
STATEN ISLAND | 1350 Forest Avenue, Staten Island 10302
Website: https://nughubny.com
Hazy Daze
WAVERLY | 332 Broad Street, Waverly 13743
Website: https://hazydaze.store
Mammoth Cannabis
BUFFALO | 212 Ohio Street, Buffalo 14204
Website: https://mammothcanna.com
NUG Yonkers
YONKERS | 2371 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers 10710
Website: https://nug.com/nug-cannabis-yonkers
Treehouse Cannabis
NYACK | 28 Route 59, Nyack 10960
Website: https://treehousecannabis.com
County Road Cannabis
HUDSON VALLEY | 1326 CR-12, New Hampton 10958
Website: https://countyrdcannabis.com
KushKlub NYC
NEW YORK CITY | 186 Orchard Street, New York 10002
Website: https://kushklub.com
Salmon River Cannabis Company
PULASKI | 3808 State Route 13, Pulaski 13142
Website: https://salmonrivercannabis.com
Happy Munkey
NEW YORK CITY | 151 Dyckman Street, New York 10040
Website: https://happymunkey.com
The People’s Joint
SCHENECTADY | 501 State Street, Schenectady 12305
Website: https://thepeoplesjoint.com
New Jersey Cannabis News
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Issues Announcements
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Issues Announcements
Much has happened in New Jersey. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC ) has made progress in many areas. Here are several of their many recent announcements:
- The NJCRC held its final virtual session to seek input from stakeholders of medicinal cannabis on October 1, 2024. They sought participation from healthcare providers, patients, and business owners. These meetings were focused on Product Safety, Packaging, and Labeling Committee (PSPLC), and Permitting and Licensing Committee (P&LC).
- The Cannabis Training Academy opened on October 16, 2024
- The final Medicinal Cannabis Program (MCP) Registration Clinics are set for November 13, 15 and 19, 2024
- As of October 22, 2024, there are 2,108 approved Recreational Licenses
- As of October 17, 2024, 170 retail and medical dispensaries have opened across 21 counties in NJ
Learn more and access the slides and information from the most recent NJCRC meetings held on October 17th and 30th, and get info on future meetings:
https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/about/meetings/
Military Veteran Opens New Jersey Dispensary
Congratulations to Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez, CEO & Founder of the recently opened adult-use dispensary “The Other Side,” located at 36 Congress Street in Jersey City.
Dr. Alyza spoke in our June 2024 CWCBExpo conference in the Dispensary Workshop and at the Women’s Entrepreneur Luncheon. She earned her doctorate in Leadership Management, and is a twice disabled combat veteran and a former U.S. Navy military police officer. She is also an industry trailblazer being the first Black, LatinX, LGBTQ, Female, and Disabled Veteran licensed cannabis operator in NJ.
Visit the TOS Dispensary website here.
Delaware Cannabis News
Cannabis License Lottery
The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner awarded cannabis licenses on October 24, 2024 in a lottery held via a Facebook live event – it was monitored by an accounting firm.
Learn more about the outcome of the lottery from the Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner.
Learn more and access the slides and information from the most recent NJCRC meetings held on October 17th and 30th, and get info on future meetings:
https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/about/meetings/
Ohio Cannabis News
Sales Exceed $75 Million in Two Months
Recreational sales started in Ohio on August 6, 2024. Ohio Adult-use sales have been in the green ever since. In less than two months they exceeded $75 million.
Read more here from the Ohio Capital Journal.
National Cannabis News
VOTE: State Ballot Measures
As we have been highlighting in our recent Newsletters, many states have ballot measures in this election. With early voting yielding a large voter turnout across the states – anticipation grows. Which states have ballot measures is very important to know. Michelle Rutter-Friberg, Director of Government Relations for the NCIA, highlights which states are on the ballot.
(Michelle Rutter-Friberg is also featured in this month’s session recording, located at the bottom of this newsletter.)
Learn more from NCIA here.
Smoke the Vote with NORML
Visit NORML to stay informed about legalization efforts across the entire country.
Uruguay Cannabis News
Meet the First Country to Legalize Recreational Cannabis
Did you know that Uruguay was the first country in the modern era to legalize recreational cannabis? The year was 2013 under president Jose Mujica. He did it to combat drug crimes and to improve health. The legislation was monumental as it allowed ultimately for home grow.
The cannabis laws in Uruguay are regulated by the Instituto de Regulación y Control del Cannabis (IRCCA) which has been successful in its evolution of regulations and building the cannabis industry in Uruguay.
Smoke the Vote with NORML
Visit NORML to stay informed about legalization efforts across the entire country.
THIS MONTH’S CWCBExpo NY 2024 ARCHIVED VIDEO
The Politics & Medicine of Cannabis: A Multi-state Approach
This session is a discussion of regulation and policy, highlighting supply chains for both medicinal and adult use channels. Subjects include the latest regs and the potential impact of re-scheduling to Schedule III from Schedule I for the adult-use retail market and for medical patients.
Moderator: Nichelle Santos, Founder, CEO, CannaCoverage
Speakers: Tosin Ajayi, Senior Policy Research & Policy Analyst, Cannabis NYC; William J. Caruso, Partner, Archer-Greiner; Michelle Rutter-Friberg, Director Government Relations, National Cannabis Industry Association; Ken Weinberg, MD., Founder, CEO, Cannabis Doctors of New York
