Staff, Author at Green Market Report

StaffSeptember 26, 2023
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6min00

Luna Stower

Chief Impact Officer, Ispire

Luna Stower was employee No. 1 at Ispire. Under her leadership, the company grew to an 85-person company and completed an IPO on the Nasdaq. With that move, she became the only female exec of a cannabis vape company on the American stock exchange.

Luna is active in driving and developing social justice initiatives and educational and service-oriented campaigns at Ispire. She won best activist of 2023 award for that California cannabis awards, Cannabis Culture Advocate of the year in 2022 from the California Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, and the global legalization award by CannaPortugal.


 

SPONSORED CONTENT

2023 Notable Leaders in Cannabis

Interviewed by Brooke Bilyj

As a cannabis executive and educator, Luna Stower has been instrumental in building and scaling dozens of cannabis brands. Raised and based in the Bay Area, Stower advocates for social justice in the industry through government relations and give-back campaigns.

Stower currently serves as Chief Impact Officer (CIO) at Ispire Technology, a vape manufacturer in Los Angeles. She also judges the Emerald Cup Cannabis Competition Awards and speaks at international cannabis expos, while advising cannabis brands on responsible growth strategies.

Why did you get involved in the cannabis industry?

I got involved after leaving the public school education space, when I realized that education was at the core of normalizing and promoting plant medicine.

My experience in the traditional cannabis market, combined with expertise in curriculum development and psychology, puts me in a unique position to build market share and revenue for cannabis companies.

What challenges do you help cannabis brands overcome?

The biggest issues facing the cannabis industry include overregulation and over-taxation of what was already a thriving, economically rich industry. Many brands experience debilitating obstacles such as costly regulations around labeling and testing, expensive and limited licensing, market overproduction, and a ‘race to the bottom’ on prices.

Lobbying and education of the general public are vital to moving the legislative needle. I urge us as an industry to do a better job of teaming together to advocate for our common interests at local, state, and national levels. If we aren’t on the same page with our strategies, we’ll continue to fuel market confusion.

Why is social justice central to your mission?

Growing up in the Bay Area, I’ve seen the decimation of my community, especially those of color and in marginalized groups, by the racist and unfair drug war.

Many people in this space are so focused on making money and surviving that they forget that this entire industry was built by activists and advocates for AIDS patients and chronically ill people. We often leave these legacy leaders behind when we make business plans without giving back.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Becoming a C-level executive at a publicly traded cannabis company (Nasdaq: ISPR) was a highlight. Also: knowing that a woman could rise the ranks in such a saturated and competitive space.

Being acknowledged by several cannabis chambers of commerce and people’s choice awards as an outstanding and inspiring activist has been another highlight of my career. Working with women’s organizations and campaigns supporting people of color and marginalized folks has brought so much meaning and satisfaction to my work.

I’ll never forget the day that a team of us helped pass the law decriminalizing the use of entheogenic plants in the city of Oakland. Watching City Hall erupt in joy—surrounded by wonderful people who hold high standards as gatekeepers for this industry—keeps me motivated and tells me I’m on the right path.

What lessons can other businesses learn from the cannabis industry?

The way we collaborate with the community and the consumers is extremely unique. There’s a very blurred line between consumers and industry insiders, which keeps the industry down-to-earth and also keeps consumers on the cutting edge of the larger global conversation.

Connect with Stower and learn more at www.LunaStower.com

Sponsored by Ispire Technology


StaffSeptember 26, 2023
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1min00

$50.7 billion – Projected value of the U.S. cannabis market in 2028

In 2022, the U.S. cannabis market recorded roughly $27 billion in sales. By 2028, Brightfield Group estimates that will nearly double to $50.7 billion. What grows the cannabis market? More open markets with more sales. The bulk of growth in U.S. cannabis sales will come from adult-use markets, which continue to grow as a percentage of the total cannabis market.

Source: Brightfield Group, U.S. Cannabis Market Sizing, 2023


StaffSeptember 25, 2023
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5min00

The Daily Hit is a recap of the top financial news stories for Sept. 25, 2023.

On the Site

Labor Judge Rules Dispensary Must Bargain with Union Despite Election Loss

A federal administrative law judge handed a significant victory to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in a ruling last week when it ordered a Massachusetts dispensary to negotiate with the union despite the fact that the UFCW lost an election last year to represent the company’s staff. Read more here.

Judge Says Hacienda’s Bankruptcy Case Can Stand

While the banking challenge has been front and center for cannabis companies, bankruptcy court has been another. Due to the federal illegality of cannabis, access to traditional bankruptcy methods and courts has been off-limits. However, the tide may be turning for cannabis companies that find themselves unable to pay their debts. Read more here.

States Reel Amid Cannabis Regulatory Turbulence

The balancing act of overseeing industries once under the grips of an entire government-sanctioned drug war is already a tiring bite to chew. Now, curious developments in Massachusetts and Minnesota have placed state officials under scrutiny over their respective cannabis regulation roles. Read more here.

SEC Sues Disgraced Tree of Knowledge CEO Over Fraudulent Pivot

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed suit against a disgraced former CEO of Washington state-based Tree of Knowledge (OTC: TOKI) (CSE: TOKIF), who led his company into millions of dollars of debt over a fraudulent “pivot” in 2020 to the personal protective equipment supply chain at the outset of the COVID pandemic. Read more here.

2023 Notable Leaders in Cannabis: Luna Stower

As a cannabis executive and educator, Luna Stower has been instrumental in building and scaling dozens of cannabis brands. Raised and based in the Bay Area, Stower advocates for social justice in the industry through government relations and give-back campaigns. Read more here.

Related: 2023 Notable Leaders in Cannabis

In Other News

New Jersey

As New Jersey’s legalized cannabis marketplace enters its next phase of growth, regulators are introducing guidelines for the rollout of cannabis-infused edible products and regulations for medical-based ventures seeking to participate in clinical research, as well as opening up three additional classes of business licenses. Read more here.

Maryland

Some potential cannabis businesses are criticizing the tight turnaround to obtain new licenses to grow, process or distribute marijuana, after the Maryland Cannabis Administration announced applications will open on Nov. 13, with distribution set to start just six weeks later on Jan. 1. Read more here.

California

If signed into law, California’s AB 1207 would make it illegal to use cartoons or depictions of animals and most plants and vegetables on cannabis packaging and advertising. However, the state’s cannabis industry says the bill is written so broadly that it blocks far more than just advertising that appeals to children. Read more here.


StaffSeptember 25, 2023

1min00

Jason Wild

Executive chairman, TerrAscend

Under Jason Wild’s stewardship, TerrAscend reported a full-year revenue of $247.8 million for 2022. Jason concluded that high-interest rates (related to debt) and punitive tax rates can’t coexist if the company wanted to be cash flow positive, so they worked on lowering the debt by $80 million. In December, Canopy Growth Corp. agreed to equitize its debt at around CA$5.10 ($3.78) per share, and that put TerrAscend in a strong position. Jason spearheaded the effort to list TerrAscend on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The effort involved a great deal of restructuring internally. Jason is a champion of the SAFE Banking Act that is stalled in Congress, and he has encouraged other leaders in the cannabis space to their voices heard on this imperative matter.


StaffSeptember 25, 2023

1min00

Jeremy Unruh

Senior vice president, public & regulatory affairs, PharmaCann

Jeremy Unruh is a founding employee of PharmaCann and served as the company’s first general counsel and chief compliance officer. In his current role, Jeremy manages all lobbying efforts and is responsible for PharmaCann’s strategic external matters, including legislative policy and public affairs, as well as organized labor and coordination with state and local regulators. He was intimately involved in the passage of the Illinois and New York adult-use laws.

Jeremy serves on the board of directors for the Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois, the Pennsylvania Cannabis Commission, and the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association. In addition, he volunteered for three years as director of the Chicago Division Board for the March of Dimes.


StaffSeptember 25, 2023

1min00

Paul Yau

CEO, Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store

Paul Yau is the co-founder and CEO of Union Square Travel Agency, New York City’s first public-private partnership to develop, own, and operate an adult-use dispensary. Paul was responsible for developing the partnership with The Doe Fund, a leading not-for-profit that is the licensee behind USQTA. As the private sector partner, Paul was the driving force behind winning one of the state’s first dispensary licenses, assembling the management team, locating and negotiating real estate, capital raising, and ultimately opening the dispensary.

Paul is also a member of the New York Chapter of Asian-Americans in Cannabis and a supporter of Shatterproof, a nonprofit helping eradicate the stigma of addiction.


StaffSeptember 25, 2023

1min00

Jason Vegotsky

Co-founder & CEO, Petalfast

As an entrepreneur with an extensive background in sales and business development, Jason Vegotsky has led Petalfast with a team of more than 50 professionals in sales, marketing, and brand management to revolutionize the go-to-market strategy for cannabis brands across California, Arizona, and Massachusetts. Petalfast’s expansion is a representation of the increased need for a national distribution partner, as many cannabis brands shift from a one-state to a multistate approach. Since its 2020 founding, Petalfast has built a diverse portfolio of high-profile cannabis brands to highlight the most creative product offerings and help both emerging and growing brands sell into and through retail channels in competitive markets.


StaffSeptember 25, 2023

1min00

Nancy Whiteman

Co-founder & CEO, Wana Brands

Nancy Whiteman co-founded Wana Brands to enhance lives and, as its CEO, has remained steadfast in her mission. In the past year, she expanded Wana into six new states, making Wana’s footprint 15 US states, Puerto Rico, and nine Canadian provinces. She also launched innovative new products, including Wana Optimals Quick Calm, which addresses anxious feelings in 15 minutes through a low-dose formulation. Nancy also inspired Wana’s annual campaign, 4ward20, to fight food insecurity by donating $35,000 across seven states where Wana is sold. In 2021, Nancy completed a $297.5 million transaction with Canopy Growth, giving Canopy 100% membership interest once a triggering event such as federal legalization occurs. Whiteman used $50 million of the proceeds to establish the Wana Brands Foundation.


StaffSeptember 25, 2023

1min00

John Sullivan

Executive vice president government affairs, Cresco Labs

For a person to influence legislative and regulatory change in cannabis, they must have a seat at the table and a voice in key meetings with politicians. In doing so, John Sullivan helped draft SAFE Banking Act language in the U.S. Senate and an Illinois proposal that allowed cannabis businesses to deduct ordinary business expenses from their income for state tax purposes. He also helped introduce the first bipartisan adult-use legislation in Pennsylvania, He is the current executive board member and chair of the Illinois Cannabis Association.


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The Green Market Report focuses on the financial news of the rapidly growing cannabis industry. Our target approach filters out the daily noise and does a deep dive into the financial, business and economic side of the cannabis industry. Our team is cultivating the industry’s critical news into one source and providing open source insights and data analysis


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