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Tag: Hemp

Unlock the potential of hemp. Discover the diverse applications of hemp, from CBD products to industrial materials. Explore cultivation techniques, processing methods, and market trends to capitalize on this burgeoning industry.

By CWCBExpo

Spring Cannabis News from Across the Nation

Each month, Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo) offers a convenient roundup of the biggest cannabis news stories and hemp headlines emerging across the nation. Get these updates in your inbox by subscribing to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter (now X) to get the most recent edition when it’s published. 

As spring blooms and 4/20 celebrations have come to a close, the national cannabis industry is on a high right now (pardon the pun). It’s already been a busy season in cannabis, including record-breaking sales and significant legislative developments. Join us as we recap recent headlines and explore what’s going on in the cannabis industry across the nation.

Congressional lawmakers continue demands for rescheduling

A bipartisan group of 21 congressional lawmakers is applying pressure to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), urging swift action to reclassify cannabis from its restrictive Schedule 1 status. 

Led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), the coalition penned a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighting the urgent need for rescheduling. Noting the eight-month lapse since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended this shift, lawmakers emphasized the imperative need for the DEA to act promptly. 

“Though marijuana is widely used and… associated with fewer adverse outcomes than alcohol, it remains in the most restrictive schedule,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “This placement produces a cascade of severe penalties for marijuana users and businesses, including for criminal records, immigration statuses, employment, taxation, health care, public housing, social services, and more.”

Cannabis tech firms report strong cannabis sales on 4/20 

Jane Technologies, a cannabis tech firm specializing in e-commerce and point-of-sail solutions, released a report highlighting strong cannabis sales during the 4/20 holiday. Jane’s network spans more than 2,500 dispensaries and brands across 39 U.S. states and Canada, offering a substantial perspective of activity within the industry on its flagship holiday.

The total number of transactions at Jane-powered locations reached 245,926 on 4/20, marking a notable 1.67% increase from the previous year’s figures. Total transactions for the entire holiday weekend surpassed 500,000, according to a statement released by the company. Jane Technologies also reported record-breaking sales figures in many states, most notably in Illinois, where sales at retailers in the Jane Technologies network soared to almost $4.5 million. 

“We saw record-breaking sales across the country this 4/20,” Soc Rosenfeld, Jane Technologies CEO and co-founder, said in a statement. “At Jane, it was an extremely successful day with well over half a million transactions completed on the platform this holiday weekend.”

According to the report, top-performing brands included Rythm, &Shine, STIIIZY, Savvy, and Float. Flower emerged as the most popular product type, followed closely by vapes and edibles. 

Cannabis POS platform Treez, which operates in 11 states and serves over 600 dispensaries, reported similarly booming sales data. According to data from Treez, there was a 120% increase in customers, products sold, and gross sales compared to 4/20 in 2023. 

However, according to Treez, the biggest spike in sales came the day prior as consumers sought to stock up ahead of the holiday. On April 19, Treez reported a 200% increase over last year’s numbers. That suggests that the day before 4/20 provides an even bigger bump for retailers, as many consumers prefer to refresh their stash ahead of the holiday festivities. 

Schumer pushes to pass cannabis banking bills in ‘bipartisan way’ 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is once again championing a bipartisan effort to advance the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act among a list of legislative priorities for the year. Speaking at a press briefing on April 23, Schumer emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation in addressing various legislative matters. In addition to the SAFER Banking Act, he underscored the importance of addressing issues like insulin pricing, online child safety, and railway safety. 

“We’ve got a lot to do,” Schumer said. “And if we can work in a bipartisan way, we will.”

Schumer has repeatedly pushed to move the SAFER Banking Act, which previously cleared the Senate Banking Committee last September before dying without a floor vote. However, the Senate recently approved long-awaited and contentious appropriations legislation that may have cleared the way to focus on new legislative items like cannabis reform.

CWCBExpo is your gateway to the cannabis industry

The cannabis industry continues to rack up wins, from a record-breaking 4/20 to continued momentum on Capitol Hill. As the industry grows, CWCBExpo offers unparalleled opportunities to connect, learn, and stay updated on the latest news and trends shaping the cannabis industry. Register for our show and business exposition June 5 and 6 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, and stay up to date on the latest changes and updates in the industry with our monthly news updates. 

By CWCBExpo

Cannabis Gains Political Momentum as Legal Industry Grows  

Each month, Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo) offers a convenient roundup of the biggest cannabis news stories and hemp headlines emerging across the nation. Get these updates in your inbox by subscribing to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter (now X) to get the most recent edition when it’s published.

March brought some dynamic shifts in the political culture surrounding cannabis. Vice President Kamala Harris led discussions on legalization and pardons, while Senate Democrats and House Republicans continued to push for cannabis banking reform. Could these developments be signs of growing momentum towards a shift in federal cannabis policy? Explore the impact of these updates on the cannabis industry nationwide.

VP Kamala Harris holds meeting on cannabis legalization and pardons 

Vice President Kamala Harris held a closed-door White House roundtable discussion on cannabis policy on March 15, 2024. Among the attendees were figures such as Cynthia Roseberry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Justice  at the ACLU; rapper Fat Joe; Chris Goldstein, Regional NORML organizer; Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear; and White House Director of Public Engagement Steven Benjamin. 

VP Harris used the discussion as an opportunity to emphasize the injustice of cannabis-related incarcerations, stating that “nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed.” According to Goldstein, Harris also shared meaningful dialogue with Fat Joe regarding the importance of legalization and expressed support for ending the federal prohibition.

“The moment where she raised her hands in the air and said, “We need to legalize marijuana” — saying those words out loud, saying it in the Roosevelt Room, it did feel very meaningful, and it wasn’t lost on anyone there what was going on in that moment,” Goldstein told Marijuana Moment.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) conducted a scheduling review in August 2023 and concluded to the DEA that cannabis be reclassified to a Schedule III drug. While there is no timeline for when the DEA’s review could take place, conversations like these represent strides forward. “This is the first time the White House has asked for a scheduling review in the right manner, so we don’t have a context for how long they might be able to run out the clock,” Goldstein added. 

Senate Democrats and House Republicans continue to push for cannabis banking bill 

As Congress nears the passage of a package of spending bills for the 2024 Fiscal Year, bipartisan attention has again turned to advancing the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects in a recent interview, sharing hope that the measure will immediately pass on the floor this year. 

“We’ve got a House that’s still not moving on stuff that matters to Republicans,” he said, referencing party divisions in the chamber. “The truth is that’s really pushed us back on what we can do in the Senate with floor time.”

In parallel, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) reiterated his support of the SAFER Banking Act during an American Bankers Association (ABA) summit. Emmer emphasized the need for federal action on banking reform, citing the sluggish pace of incremental reform despite his personal stance on the issue.

“For whatever reason, the federal government has been slow to get that done,” he stated. “Like it or not, if your state has enacted laws creating this as a legal entity that is legitimate, our bankers should be allowed to bank,” he added. “It’s not whether you are a marijuana lover or hater, it’s more: This is a legitimate business that has been approved by the representative government of that state.”

IRS clarifies cannabis cash reporting regulations 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a memo clarifying the rules for reporting large cash payments between cannabis businesses. In response to a request for guidance on Form 8300, which mandates reporting for cash payments exceeding $10,000, the IRS emphasized that such transactions should not automatically be flagged as “suspicious” solely due to the federal prohibition of cannabis. 

An example of the other language in the memo includes:

Question 3: “Is it reasonable for a legalized substance business to check the suspicious activity box simply because of the type of product they deal with?”

Answer 3: “No. When marking the suspicious activity box is purely done defensively, much like a Money Service Business filing defensive Significant Activity Reports, this is an abuse of the use of that box. If they are solely marking the box because of the industry and for no other reason, this is not an appropriate use of the box. If a business is checking the box in these circumstances, the agent should inform them that continuing to check the box could result in penalties for inaccurate forms. Of course, this depends on the facts and circumstances in each case.”

“We are working on additional guidance on questions related to cash couriers/armored cars who transport cash between growers/manufacturers and dispensaries/sellers,” reads the memo. 

Keeping tabs on the cannabis industry’s progress nationwide

Gradually, the federal government has made progress toward cannabis reform, and there is as much reason to be optimistic as ever. Given recent developments, it’s important to continue our path toward comprehensive reform, promising a future of equity, accessibility, and opportunity within the legal cannabis industry. Looking ahead, stay tuned for updates on these matters and mark your calendars for this year’s CWCBExpo on June 5 and 6 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, where professionals gather to network, learn, and shape the future together. 

By CWCBExpo

New Jersey’s Cannabis Lounges: What To Expect

It’s official: Cannabis consumption lounges are coming to New Jersey, giving consumers a place to come together and enjoy sociable sessions in a public setting. The lounges, unanimously approved by the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) in January, offer new opportunities to Garden State cannabis businesses and consumers alike. Here’s what you need to know about consumption lounges in NJ and what to expect in the coming months.

What are the rules for NJ consumption lounges?

The NJ CRC’s approval of cannabis consumption lounge rules came nearly a year after their introduction. Among the regulations governing these licensed “social use” locations are the following:

  • Consumption lounges must be attached to licensed retail locations. 
  • Consumption lounges are open to adults ages 21 years and older, and photo identification is required for entry.
  • Cannabis businesses are limited to one social use license, regardless of the number of dispensaries they operate. 
  • Social use licensing fees are $1,000 for microbusinesses and $5,000 for standard businesses.
  • Consumption lounges must install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that prevent smoke and vapor from affecting neighbors.
  • Consumption lounges cannot sell tobacco, food, or alcohol, but guests may bring their own food or have it delivered (provided local governments allow it).
  • Businesses must not sell cannabis products to guests who show visible signs of intoxication, similar to requirements for bartenders.
  • Consumption lounges must be at least partially enclosed by barriers to prevent view from the public. 
  • Medical cannabis patients may bring their own cannabis products to consumption lounges.
  • Guests may not leave with unconsumed, opened packages of cannabis products — much like restaurant guests may not leave with opened alcoholic beverages.

These rules have been published in the New Jersey Register, effectively codifying them as written and paving the way for applications and licensing to begin. 

What do consumption lounges mean for NJ cannabis businesses?

Licensed cannabis retailers can pursue a social use license to open consumption lounges on the same site as their retail location, offering more opportunities to attract customers and sell products. For cannabis dispensaries looking to stand out from the crowd and offer something unique to attract more customers (and keep them on site longer), consumption lounges could be a big opportunity. 

According to NJ CRC Chief Counsel Christopher Riggs, an application process will begin soon. However, the state government’s website currently makes no mention of the social use license or where to apply. Commissioner Charles Barker added that the application process would include an “exclusive period for social equity, diversely-owned businesses,” which he said is a “critical component to establishing equity and leveling the playing field.”

Members of the NJ CRC suggested the addition of consumption lounges to the state’s growing cannabis industry would bolster tax revenues through additional sales and excise taxes on products sold, as well as the licensing fees and annual renewal fees businesses would pay to operate these lounges.

However, some retailers have pushed back against the regulations as currently written, suggesting the restrictions would make it difficult to turn a profit by hosting a social use space. Concerns include the restrictions on selling non-cannabis products, like food and beverages, and the availability of space at existing dispensary locations.

“From an operator’s perspective it’s hard to make money on that and to create that amazing environment,” Jonathan Bednarsh, co-founder of RIPT Dispensary, told PIX 11 when the NJ CRC first approved the rules. “Operators are going to struggle to have the space, or create a space if they can’t monetize the space.”

Other cannabis reform trends to watch in New Jersey

The Garden State is in for a big year when it comes to growing its cannabis industry and enacting reform policies. There are more than a dozen bills in the state legislature that could have a significant impact on New Jersey’s cannabis businesses and consumers, including:

  • Home grow rules: Senate Bill 1985 would legalize the cultivation of up to six cannabis plants for personal consumption and up to 10 plants for medical consumption for adults ages 21 years and older. A similar bill in the state Assembly (A414) would allow the cultivation of up to six cannabis plants, while S1393 and companion bill A846 would authorize the cultivation of medical cannabis.
  • Interstate commerce: A bill in the Senate, S2286, would authorize the governor to approve interstate commercial activity in certain instances. Interstate commerce is generally the domain of the federal government, which considers cannabis an illegal Schedule I drug under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.

  • Financial institution protections: Assembly bill A901 would offer protections to financial institutions and insurance companies working with cannabis businesses, preventing them from being penalized by state regulators for working with the industry. Similar bills in both chambers, S1955 and A453, would focus on establishing further protections for insurers working with cannabis businesses. A Senate bill, S1126, would establish a state bank dedicated to handling cannabis funds.
  • Employer and employee protections: Competing bills would extend protections to employees who use cannabis or empower employers to prohibit cannabis consumption by certain employees. A2719 would prevent employers from penalizing employees who test positive for cannabis metabolites, but S677 would allow employers to prohibit cannabis in some circumstances. A2798 would permit law enforcement agencies to prohibit consumption by officers.
  • Medical cannabis taxation: Assembly bill A1105 would exempt medical cannabis products from sales and excise taxes, bringing down costs for medical cannabis patients.

Keep an eye on these bills and other reform efforts as 2024 progresses to see how New Jersey’s cannabis industry may evolve. As the young industry grows and changes, those who are most adaptable to evolving regulations will stand the best chance of success in the future.

Stay informed with CWCBExpo

To stay in the loop on all things cannabis in New York, New Jersey, and beyond, keep an eye on CWCBExpo’s monthly news roundups, blog, and social media channels. And if you want to connect with cannabis industry leaders and experts from around the nation, sign up to attend or exhibit at this year’s CWCBExpo at the Javits Convention Center in New York City on June 5 and 6, 2024. You’re sure to come away with new insights, an expanded network, and exciting stories about one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. 

 

By CWCBExpo

Licensing Review in NY, Legal Battles in Hemp, and More

Each month, Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo) offers a convenient roundup of the biggest cannabis news stories and hemp headlines emerging across the Northeast. Get these updates in your inbox by subscribing to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter (now X) to get the most recent edition when it’s published.

March held some big headlines for the Northeast’s cannabis industry, including Pennsylvania lawmakers reigniting legalization discussions and New Jersey’s milestone achievement of surpassing 100 operational cannabis dispensaries. Here are the details you need to know about some of the latest advancements shaping the landscape across the East Coast. 

Hochul orders ‘top-down’ review of New York cannabis licensing process

New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) has officially ordered a comprehensive “top-down” review of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) licensing process. Hochul announced the review while recognizing the shortcomings and challenges the existing framework posed following cannabis legalization. The governor enlisted the expertise of Jeanette Moy, the commissioner for the Office of General Services, to overhaul the process and streamline operations. 

According to a press release from the governor’s office, the internal audit will last at least 30 days and include:

  • Top-down review of organizational structure, processes, and systems with a focus on improving OCM license processing times and application-to-opening timeframes for new cannabis retailers and businesses.

  • Development of key performance metrics and an executive-level licensing dashboard to provide the Executive Chamber with a timely, accurate, and comprehensive picture of licensing activity for legal retailers.

  • Identification and implementation of changes to policy, procedure, and regulation (within the bounds of the MRTA) to streamline the licensing process and simplify application and review for prospective licensees.

  • Development of three-month and six-month action plans with organizational change initiatives, milestones, and actions to continue improving agency functions while developing a world-class licensing and regulatory agency for the state’s cannabis industry.

After the 30-day assessment, Moy and her team will consider a prolonged examination of the OCM and its practices.

New York hemp companies sue to overturn new state rules

The New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) passed stringent regulations in November 2023, which imposed a mandatory 15-to-1 ratio of CBD to THC in hemp-based products and limited potency to  mg THC per serving or 5mg THC per package.

These rules made an estimated 75% of already available hemp goods suddenly illegal and sparked outrage among state-licensed companies. On March 1, a lawsuit was filed in federal court as a result. 

The lawsuit, brought by 10 hemp companies, alleges the enforcement of these regulations, coupled with aggressive raids targeting the illicit market, has caused significant financial losses for hemp businesses and infringed upon their constitutional rights. According to the lawsuit, the change “drastically limits the products available for market” and will push New York consumers “into the illicit market and underground market.” 

“We will not standby and allow the State to violate Plaintiffs’ constitutional rights, engage in warrantless searches and seizures, and maliciously disrupt their businesses in a misguided effort to shut down unlicensed cannabis stores, which have nothing to do with hemp businesses operating in full compliance with both state and federal law,” Joshua Bauchner, chair of the Cannabis, Hemp and Psychedelics Practice Group at New Jersey-based law firm Mandelbaum Barrett said.

New Jersey surpasses 100 cannabis stores, sales top $2 billion in last six years

New Jersey has achieved a notable milestone in its cannabis industry, officially surpassing 100 cannabis stores. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s (NJCRC) website confirms the presence of 102 medical and adult-use retail locations statewide. In addition, the group shared that the state’s total cannabis sales over the last six years have exceeded $2 billion. 

“These are early signs of the potential of this market. Sales have grown steadily since Governor Murphy began the work to reform New Jersey’s cannabis market,” said NJCRC Executive Director Jeff Brown in a statement.

Pennsylvania joint committee takes up cannabis legalization as governor renews push for reform

Pennsylvania lawmakers are once again pushing for cannabis legalization, with a recent focus on Prohibition’s criminal justice implications and the potential benefits of reform. Members of the Subcommittee on Health Care and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Correction convened for a hearing explicitly addressing these issues. 

During the hearing, Representative Dan Frankel, chair of the Health Committee and a previous sponsor of cannabis legalization legislation, expressed confidence in the state’s readiness to advance cannabis reform. “I think we are really well-positioned to move forward with legislation,” said Frankel. 

Rep. Rick Krajewski (D) stressed criminal justice and record expungement as one area lawmakers “really need to get right, and get right on the first time, given what we know about the criminalization of cannabis and the ways it has impacted Black and brown communities, working class communities and the ways in which that record still carries a burden.”

Responsible PA has also formed a coalition focused on calling for the legalization of adult-use cannabis, saying they intend to inform lawmakers as they continue to explore the issue. The coalition brings together patient advocates, doctors, scientists, researchers, laboratories, economic development groups, members of law enforcement, local elected officials, labor, and civil and social equity community organizations from across the state. 

“Pennsylvania has the opportunity to build from the success of its medical cannabis program while ensuring full market access for regulated products,” said Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene (R). “Just as we do with medical cannabis, we can properly regulate adult-use marijuana with stringent health and safety standards backed by regulatory oversight.”

Exploring East Coast cannabis with CWCBExpo 

From legislative debates to market milestones, the East Coast is shaping the future of cannabis. The upcoming CWCBExpo on June 5 and 6 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City promises to be a key event for professionals like yourself, offering networking opportunities and insights. Let’s stay informed, engaged, and proactive in driving positive change and innovation within the industry. 

By CWCBExpo

10 Cannabis Tech Tools Shaping the Industry

From artificial intelligence (AI) tools to sophisticated supply chain management systems, the cannabis industry relies on some advanced technology to keep growing. Here’s a look at some of the technological systems shaping the cannabis industry, how they’re used, and the trends they’re driving as legal cannabis businesses expand nationwide. 

 

1. Seed-to-sale tracking and compliance systems

 

One tech platform every cannabis operator is familiar with is the seed-to-sale tracking system, which handles the complex task of monitoring the entire plant-touching supply chain for quality assurance and regulatory compliance. Seed-to-sale tracking systems catalog every cannabis product back to the source, from breeding to cultivation to manufacturing to the dispensary.

 

Popular seed to sale tracking systems include names like Metrc, Distru, GrowFlow, and Canix, though some states require the use of particular platforms. In New York, operators can use any software they want; the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) uses BioTrack THC. Generally, these systems rely on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and software to track the flow of seeds, plants, flower, and manufactured products through the cannabis supply chain. 

 

2. AI budtenders

 

As the foremost touchpoint between customer and brand, budtenders shape consumer experience and influence brand loyalty to a significant degree. Some dispensaries are capitalizing on the rise of AI to improve the budtender-customer interaction, delivering accurate information in an easily understandable way.

 

A leading name in this new space is Pluggi, a platform that integrates with ecommerce platforms and offers customers the same type of personalized service they’ve come to expect from your human budtenders on-site. Pluggi relies on customers’ answers to questions to generate relevant product recommendations. Pluggi also delivers data-driven reports that can help you better understand shopper preferences, giving you all the information you need to enhance your marketing and customer service.

 

3. Extraction equipment

 

Extraction technology is not new; it’s been used in the food and beverage industry and the petrochemical industry for quite some time. However, their use in cannabis is relatively new, dating back to the 1970s with the advent of Butane Hash Oil (BHO). Today, extraction tech is widely applied in the cannabis industry and includes both solvent-based and solventless extraction equipment. It also includes devices like rosin presses, which are used to refine bubble hash into a thick oil known as rosin. 

 

Companies like Delta Separations, Precision Extraction, and Root Sciences produce extraction equipment from closed loop extraction systems to individual elements like short path distillation equipment or falling film evaporators. This machinery is essential to the cannabis extraction process, which is used in the production of concentrates as well as infused edibles, topicals, and other types of cannabis products. There are also simpler pieces of equipment from companies like Bubble Magic, which sells ice water extraction machines that don’t require as much engineering expertise to operate.

 

4. Menu providers

 

The menu is the dispensary’s focus, whether customers place pickup orders online or do in-store shopping. Ecommerce software companies have emerged to support dispensaries who want to offer their customers a familiar and convenient way to shop for cannabis, even if customers can’t have products shipped to their door. These services offer digital dispensary menus that integrate with other key software needed to manage a dispensary’s operations. They’re focused on providing a high level of ease of use for both customer and dispensary staff, queuing up orders so they can be filled quickly, accurately, and efficiently.

 

5. Personal consumption devices

 

The way we consume cannabis is also changing thanks to technological innovation. Among the more high-tech of these innovations are portable vaporizers, electronic dab pens and dabbing devices, and desktop vaporizers. These items eliminate the need for pipes and paper and use apps and other electronic means to create a truly customized consumption experience. 

 

Puffco is one such innovator in the personal consumption space. The company, which engineers its products in Brooklyn, is known for the Puffco Peak, an electronic dab rig that became seriously popular by making dabbing easy and accessible to every consumer. The company also offers accessories like the Hot Knife, an electronic dab tool that makes loading dab rigs an easier experience.

 

6. Cannabis security software 

 

Security is critical in cannabis. Whether you’re a cultivator with a sizable grow, a manufacturing operation producing seriously valuable extracts, or a dispensary with inventory and cash on hand, cannabis businesses are prime targets for burglary. In addition, state regulations usually include strict security requirements for cannabis facilities. That’s where cannabis security software comes in, helping operators manage their facilities and demonstrate full compliance with their state’s requirements.

 

7. Curing and drying equipment

 

After harvesting, cannabis needs to be cured and dried to preserve it and prevent contamination while it awaits transportation and purchase. Historically, this process could take weeks or even months to complete, but thanks to technology developed specifically for cannabis cultivators that timeline can be significantly sped up. This gets products out the door faster.

 

Companies like Cryo Cure, Cannatrol, and Happy Hydro have all developed equipment and processes that support more efficient and higher quality drying and curing. Cryo Cure, for example, offers machinery that preserves cannabinoids and terpenes while quickly bringing flower to its optimal moisture content levels in under 24 hours. Happy Hydro offers more conventional accessories like hanging dry racks and storage containers that support and improve the conventional drying and curing process.

 

8. Decarboxylation equipment

 

When using cannabis as an ingredient to create edibles or topicals, it first needs to go through a process known as “decarboxylation.” Put simply, this involves heating cannabis flower at low temperatures for a long time. Decarboxylation is the conversion of cannabinoid acids, like THCA or CBDA, into their more familiar activated forms, like THC and CBD. When cannabis is smoked or vaped, this happens before inhalation. But for ingestion, decarboxylation needs to be done first.

 

Cannabis manufacturing equipment providers sell industrial-sized ovens built for this task. Often called “decarbing ovens,” they come with settings designed specifically for cannabis. There are also many at-home gadgets, like the Ardent and the Levo, that simplify at-home decarboxylation

 

9. Retail management platforms

 

When you run a retail business, you need a point-of-sale system for tracking dispensary sales and managing transactions. You also need an inventory management system that can track your current stock, monitor how quickly SKUs are selling, and enable you to order more proactively so you never run out of your most popular products. You’ll also want to be able to review data about your sales and your customers so you can improve your decision making when it comes to things like marketing, inventory, and customer service. Cannabis retail management platforms have brought all these functions into one useful system that keeps dispensaries organized and efficient. 

 

 

Flowhub is a major retail management platform serving cannabis dispensaries with its software called Maui. This software allows dispensaries to accept payments for cannabis transactions and offers useful tools like customer loyalty programs and online order management. It also offers built-in compliance tools, so dispensaries can track their compliance and demonstrate it to regulators. Sales reports, custom user dashboards, and all the data flowing through the system is available on mobile devices as well, so company leadership can make informed decisions anytime, anywhere. These platforms also play an important role when it comes to cybersecurity in cannabis, safeguarding sensitive customer data from cyberattacks.

 

10. Nanoemulsion technologies

 

When making infused products like edibles and cannabis beverages, it’s important to ensure consumers have consistent, reliable experiences with dosages they can depend on. That means each product needs to not only contain the same amounts of cannabinoids in the same proportions as the last, but each part of each product needs to be homogenous and contain the same amount as well. Otherwise, each bite could be different, and consumers won’t be able to expect a consistent experience. That’s where nanoemulsions come in, and it’s thanks to emulsification technology that manufacturers can create them.

 

 

SōRSE Technology, for example, uses a water-soluble emulsification process that works with any oil-based ingredient to create emulsion formulations for cannabis brands. Their services promise product stability that provides for accurate, consistent dosing in cannabis products and homogeneity in each product, so customers can trust the labeling every time. Technology and innovative processes like these enable cannabis businesses to create repeatable, branded products that consumers can count on for a consistent experience no matter where they buy them.

 

Emerging tech propels the cannabis industry forward

 

The cannabis industry is an innovative and rapidly evolving space, often out of necessity thanks to decades of prohibition and the emergence of state-by-state supply chains with their own sets of rules and regulations. As cannabis businesses grow and face new challenges, technology companies come to the fore to help them get more done and keep on expanding. To meet some of the leaders in cannabis tech and the businesses successfully using their tools and platforms, join us for the next Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo (CWBCExpo) June 5 – 6 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City

By CWCBExpo

What the Hemp Industry Needs to Take Flight

The global industrial hemp market is expected to grow by leaps and bounds in the coming decade. That market includes not only hemp for cannabinoid extraction that creates the CBD products that have become a household name, but also a wide range of industrial products.

Reaching hemp’s market potential in the United States, however, takes a combination of legislation and market adoption that while well on its way, still needs to reach critical milestones before the hemp industry truly takes flight. To learn more, we interviewed Erica Stark, executive director of the National Hemp Association (NHA), who shared more about the opportunities in hemp and what needs to be done before the industry expands further.

What can a hemp fiber and grain industry look like?

The hemp industry can be divided into two parts: hemp harvested for cannabinoids like CBD and hemp harvested for fiber and grain. While cannabinoids often steal the limelight, Stark explained that hemp fiber and grain have quite literally thousands of uses, serving as a potentially transformative tool for sustainability and combating the effects of climate change.

“When we say that there are 25,000 different products that can be produced from hemp, the vast majority come from the fiber and grain side of the industry,” said Stark. “The potential is so vast, not only for the industry but what it can do to mitigate climate change and save this planet. It’s an investment, but it’s so worth it.”

According to Stark, one of the NHA’s primary areas of focus in recent years has been for a more official segmentation between the fiber and grain portion and the cannabinoid portion of the hemp industry. She noted that while CBD is popular for a good reason – which is why the cannabinoid sector has been front and center since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill – hemp can do far more than just make CBD products.

However, Stark added, there are still several missing pieces inhibiting industry growth, both from regulatory and economic perspectives.

What does the hemp industry need to grow?

The hemp industry is poised to make seismic changes for manufacturing and the environment, but before it can, the space requires further development. According to Stark, most businesses need more support before they can make the sort of world-changing impact advocates often discuss.

Linking farms and factories

A 2021 economic impact file by the NHA reported the hemp fiber and grain industry is estimated to generate $32 billion by 2030. According to the group, if just 5% of the current corn, soy, and wheat producers added hemp into their rotation, it would result in 10 to 12 million acres of crops.

“When you think about the infrastructure that we need to process that type of acreage, it’s a lot,” said Stark. “But when we look at that holistically, and what hemp can do as far as revitalizing rural America — creating jobs, reducing our reliance on imports, helping to mitigate climate change and creating more sustainable user consumer products — that’s where we need to go.”

The infrastructure to get raw material from farms to factories has been a prominent bottleneck in the hemp supply chain. While farmers are looking to grow hemp and manufacturers seek raw materials, neither will make significant investments to scale hemp operations until the two are connected, Stark said.

“Farmers are hungry for a new crop and additional revenue stream, but they are not going to plant hemp until they know there is somebody to buy it,” said Stark. “It is the creation of that first-level processing that gets it ready to go from field to factory that we have to focus on.”

Growing the industry to commercial scale

The hemp industry needs more research and development (R&D) before it can scale to commercial levels, Stark said. And while U.S. hemp producers and processors can look to markets in Europe, where hemp fiber has been produced for decades, it’s important to note that aspects such as the physical size of the U.S. and the regulatory landscape differ significantly.

“Doing things on an American scale is vastly different than anything being done in other parts of the world,” Stark said. “We can look [to Europe] for equipment and ideas, but we need to grab hold of them and make [them] our own to be able to produce to scale.”

Stark noted the cost of manufacturing and processing hemp factors into industry growth as well. Finding a way to meet the demand for hemp products in a cost-effective way will be essential to driving mass adoption over conventional industries, such as non-hemp paper, clothing, or construction materials.

“No matter how superior the end product might be, if it’s two times more expensive than its environmentally unfriendly counterpart, people will go with the environmentally unfriendly options,” she said.

Expanding access to capital

Because the hemp industry is relatively new, securing reliable capital is the other piece holding the hemp industry back, Stark said. While investment is now legally possible thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, there are still areas of the market, such as the animal feed sector, being left behind.

“It comes down to the capital required to do the clinical trials and the studies that those agencies want to see to approve it,” said Stark, referencing the rules set by the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) governing animal feed ingredients.

“There are a ton of start-up companies out there seeking capital, and with the right investment, would be ready to ramp up operations and go to scale,” she added, “but it’ll require lots of due diligence on whoever is doing the investing, and I think that is challenging.”

As a piece of the capital puzzle, the NHA is currently focused on removing hemp for fiber and grain from the existing USDA framework, which requires extensive THC testing for all hemp cultivators. The federal government set a 0.3% THC limit on hemp — anything that exceeds those levels is considered illegal “marijuana.” This rule has left many investors hesitant for fear that the companies they invest in may inadvertently trigger federal enforcement. The NHA’s stance is that THC levels shouldn’t matter for industrial hemp grown for fiber or grain.

“Right now, the hemp programs all revolve around the perceived risk of cannabinoid production,” said Stark. “We want to see fiber and grain producers be exempt from that. If your end purpose is fiber and grain, you shouldn’t be subject to THC testing.”

To further increase support and funding for hemp initiatives, NHA Chair, Geoff Whaling has also independently started an impact fund called rePLANT Hemp, which is the first-to-market investment fund focused on U.S. hemp for food and fiber. With the goal of investing $500 million in the hemp space by 2030, rePLANT allocates capital provided by investors across a wide range of vetted hemp businesses. With rePLANT, investors simply put their money in and trust professional fund managers familiar with the industry to do the due diligence and provide a good return. Whaling announced the launch of rePLANT at the Nov. 2021 Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition in New York City.

“I think in the short term, for people who are looking to invest [in the hemp industry], something like that sort of mitigates their risk and spreads the investment around,” said Stark. “It’s probably a little bit easier than to figure out which initial company they want to invest in.”

What will the future of the hemp industry look like?

While the industry still has a long, rocky road to go, Stark says that with suitable investments and support, success is inevitable. However, the way the hemp industry evolves remains to be seen and is in the hands of policymakers, advocates, investors, and entrepreneurs.

For the NHA, a hemp industry that prioritizes the growth of the grain and fiber space and decouples regulation from the cannabinoid space is key to unlocking the growth potential of the industry, and they’re working to that end.

“All of these things have to happen at the same time in order for it to be successful,” she said. “If you build it they will come, but what are you building, and who are you building it for?”

June 4 - 5, 2025

Javits Convention Center

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