Posts by Josh LeBaron

he Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission voted unanimously Thursday to ban billboard, radio, TV and most online advertising by marijuana companies — a move that representatives for the firms said they would fight in the General Assembly when it convenes next month.

The new rules also prohibit advertising in print publications such as newspapers and magazines that cannot prove that 85 percent of their audience is over 18 years old, and bans the use of leaflets or flyers in most public and private places. This is evidence that the fight continues to end the stigma of medical cannabis use. Link to Baltimore Sun article below: https://bsun.md/2H0cAOx

No matter how you look at it, 2018 was the biggest year ever for the growth of the marijuana industry. More money was made from legal sales of marijuana — both for medical and for recreational purposes — than in the past. Public support for marijuana reached all-time highs.
So much happened in 2018 that picking the biggest marijuana stories of the year isn’t easy. But there were five major developments that stood out because of their significant impact. Link to story below:

http://bit.ly/2SFYwei

How Cannabis Could Become The Next Real Estate Disrupter. Link to story from Forbes below:

http://bit.ly/2VznONe

Congress just reached an agreement on proposed legislation that could make hemp legal to grow in the United States for the first time in nearly a century. Hemp may be derived from the same plant as marijuana, but it doesn’t make anyone high and is commonly used in food, fuel, and bracelets. The new legislation officially acknowledges the difference between the two.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2RrIBje

Marijuana Retail Report has published their Fall/Winter 2018 Tech Report, keeping you up-to-date with technology and retail services for the cannabis industry. In this special report, MRR takes an in-depth look at tech trends and solutions helping retailers grow their businesses.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2Ss3Wt6

The Garden State has moved one step closer to cannabis legalization. Here are 11 things you need to know about the bill and how it will affect New Jersey’s current medical cannabis program

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2SnWfE5

Medical marijuana sales in Maryland are surpassing a previous forecast and could reach $100 million this year.

Link to story: https://cbsloc.al/2EbzobY

The long wait for recreational marijuana sales to begin in Massachusetts is almost over with the first commercial pot shops set to open on Tuesday.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2DW7pMp

A busy week in the cannabis industry just wrapped up with the wildly successful MJBizCon in Las Vegas coming to an end. Catch up on other industry news here: http://bit.ly/2OOdlsH

Of the myriad decisions entrepreneurs make as they grow their marijuana companies, few are more critical to a business’ financial future than the legal structure chosen at the get-go.

From taxes to raising money to a founder’s personal liabilities, the structure of a company can make or break its chances for success.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2zfLEnA