Under The Microscope: Cannabis Plant Genetics

Angel Fernandez is a plant scientist at UC Berkeley in plant genetics and molecular biology. He is also a recognized researcher and scientist specialist in plant genomics and molecular breeding. As our CEO, he is committed to delivering the promise of revolutionizing the industry by applying all his knowledge, time, and effort to developing innovative solutions to break the barriers that growers and breeders face.

MyFloraDNA is a genomic laboratory based in Sacramento California, delivering modern genomics for the cannabis industry. Services include Trait detection (cannabinoid profile and sex/gender ID), Pathogen Detection, and Genetic Validation Services.

We start by looking into the microscope and taking a closer look at the cannabis plant, beyond even the terpenes and cannabinoids. Angel explains why the genetics of the cannabis plant is important, and what information we can get by looking at the genome of the plant.

When we’re cultivating cannabis, we think about sunshine and water and the basics of agriculture, but there are clearly some very high-tech aspects to growing cannabis. Our guest defined the genetic makeup part of it. We dive into what is “molecular breeding” and how is it different from traditional or “classic” breeding of plants.

The Legal Perspective of Constructing Cannabis Facilities

On the construction side of the cannabis industry, before the facility or dispensary opens its doors before any plants are growing before any customers walk in the front door, is an important side to the whole process. After a certain number of years here of legal cannabis in the U.S., there are certainly some best practices, as well as some DOs and DON’Ts in this process.

Andrew Halbert, a member of the Fox Rothschild’s Cannabis Law Practice Group, counsels clients on structuring, vetting, and closing purchases and sales of licensed cannabis businesses and provides guidance on regulatory compliance in Illinois and other states where cannabis has been legalized. He also advises clients in cannabis and other industries on a full range of corporate transactions, including debt and equity offerings and corporate governance.

Ron Williams is a seasoned construction lawyer who has advised numerous businesses, including major players in the cannabis industry, on the legal, contractual and operational aspects of major construction projects throughout the U.S. and abroad. In short, Ron helps clients structure and implement construction agreements that mitigate risk and facilitate efficient, on-time completion of projects.

The Elements of Designing a Cannabis Dispensary – Part 2

In the previous episode, we focused a lot on the customer experience, but there are other aspects to a cannabis dispensary, like how design impacts those who work there. There’s the front of the house, so to speak, where the employees interface with the customers, and then the back of the house where they maybe store their lunch and hang their jackets. We dive into how the front-of-house design impacts employees and much more in today’s episode.

Kevin Quinlan is an entrepreneur and serves as a Principal of Mintropy which specializes in Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection design consulting services in support of cannabis cultivation and retail facilities. Mintropy’s design approach strives to find ways to incorporate our technological advancements back into harmony with mother nature.

Brian Anderson is a founding Partner of Anderson Porter Design, with over 25 years of experience, and focuses on cannabis industry projects. Brian has now designed facilities for cultivation totaling over 3 million SF, and he has designed nearly 50 retail dispensaries. He has developed a proven process of project delivery in the Cannabis Industry. Brian is an active member of the Lean Construction Institute and implements lean methods in facility design and the construction process.

The Elements of Designing a Cannabis Dispensary – Part 1

Kevin Quinlan is an entrepreneur and Principal in the built environment and building design industries with a 16-year track record of success in quality on project design, engineering execution, and quality assurance. He currently serves as a Principal of Mintropy, which provides Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection design consulting services in support of cannabis cultivation and retail facilities. Mintropy’s design approach encourages cohesiveness with nature, and we strive to find ways to incorporate our technological advancements back into harmony with mother nature.

Larina Scofield helps create welcoming and memorable experiences for many cannabis customers and employees alike. From starting on the retail ground floor in 2013 and then moving into management and operations over the past several years, Larina is now serving retailers outside of the store these days as the Director of Customer Success for Sweed POS. Sweed is an all-in-one retail cannabis solution designed for large cannabis retailers that deliver powerful POS functionality, analytics, marketing and loyalty, e-commerce, and so much more.

Cannabis Policy Reform Update with NCIA’s Government Relations Team

Michael has been at NCIA for over 9 years, and Michelle is close to her 9-year anniversary working at the organization. That date back to when two states, Colorado and Washington state, was just rolling out their adult-use cannabis laws for the first time. So with this, we discuss the tone and temperature when it comes to pro-cannabis policy reform in the halls of Congress at that time.

Lobby Days is easily our favorite NCIA event, and we think many people share the sentiment. Pre-COVID pandemic was always encouraging to see, year after year, the number of NCIA members attending Lobby Days in D.C. grow and grow, reaching over 300 in 2019. So now we see more and more Congressional offices take our group and our concerns seriously. We talk about what are our guest’s reflections on that and much more!

Michelle Rutter Friberg is deputy director of government relations and has worked at NCIA since 2014. Michelle graduated from James Madison University in 2012, where during her studies, she held a year-long internship with Virginia House of Delegates member Tony Wilt (R).

Michael Correia is the director of government relations for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Prior to joining NCIA, Michael spent many years working on Capitol Hill, including working for Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), who retired in 2010, and the House Committee on Resources, serving three different Chairmen. Previously, he was director of federal affairs for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and senior project manager for the Committee for Responsible Federal Budget.

Eddie Luchembe & Brandon Puett | King Palm

Each week Khadijah Adams and Mike Lumoto host cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike and Khadijah are joined by Eddie and Brandon of King Palm.

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential

Covering Cannabis Companies

Many people rely on insurance professionals to navigate the complicated waters of protecting their businesses, and there are a lot of different types of insurance that a cannabis company should consider. We start with the basics of the types of insurance that almost any cannabis company should immediately secure. We also dive into more nuanced insurance types that people may not think about immediately. We sometimes think of the phrase “acts of god” which is sometimes covered in insurance, which is interesting to see in an insurance policy.

Matthew Johnson serves as QuadScore’s Vice President of Risk Services. QuadScore has grown to become one of the largest cannabis insurers over a short four years, with a specialty in covering the considerable assets of North America’s multi-state operators and publicly traded companies. At QuadScore, Matthew’s role is to manage risks for America’s premier cannabis operators, helping protect businesses from preventable claims

David Rahn with S2S Insurance is a highly specialized insurance professional with deep cannabis industry knowledge and experience. As an All-Lines Insurance Broker with strong analytical skills, he performs detailed risk assessments for both start-up and established cannabis companies, and develops customized strategies and solutions designed to minimize risks, safeguard and grow their business.

Heather Fowler | Mary Jane’s Place

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential

NCIA’s Hemp Committee Lobbies Congress in D.C. – James Granger and Chris Hope

Tune in to hear more about NCIA’s recent Lobby Days event for the cannabis industry, where most were talking to Congressional offices about SAFE Banking, 280E, and comprehensive reform like the CAOA. We discuss what the focus of the hemp team was during their meetings with members of Congress.

James Granger has built an extensive career focused on the blooming medical and recreational cannabis industry and holds a deep knowledge of cannabinoid effects, extraction, and processing, cannabis chemistry, regulation, management, consulting, politics, operations, product development, and more. In 2018, James joined The Clear (Now Clear Colorado Group) team to re-build and streamline operations, Now, as Chief Political Officer of Clientele Capital, a Denver-based venture capital firm that provides funding and strategic consulting to growth-oriented companies in emerging markets, James spearhead’s the company’s goals of staying ahead of extensive regulatory changes, challenges and nuances the company may face in the new developing cannabis industry.

Chris Hope has 20 years of experience in the cannabis industry. He founded, Sequoia Wellness (SW), a retail cannabis delivery service in 2013, serving the Los Angeles area. In 2016, he founded Sequoia Management Group (SMG), as a cannabis & hemp business development and consulting company. Today, SMG is focusing on the burgeoning industrial hemp industry with a focus on fiber, food, grain, seed, and building materials. Chris was, a founding member and Director of Member & Sponsor Relations for Angeles Emeralds (AE), a cannabis advocacy and lobbying group for Los Angeles County. As a member of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) since 2015, and In 2020, Chris became the Committee Organizer for the Hemp Committee (HC) with NCIA for the 2020/21 term. He now serves as the Chair for the HC, as well as contributing to both the NCIA Sustainability Collaboration/Council and the Novel, Synthetic, and Minor Cannabinoid Collaboration.

Insights Into The Cannabis Real Estate Market In The U.S.

Today we talk about real estate in the cannabis industry with Bryan McLaren of Zoned Properties. Real estate is a weird topic these days in the housing market but we are talking commercial real estate for cannabis. We discuss why this aspect is important in the grand scheme as we move toward federal legalization and sensible regulations. We’ve got about 10 years of history under our belt to look at as far as how the cannabis industry has experienced commercial real estate services. Knowing that we are highly regulated, there are very specific rules so it’s not as easy as just buying a building. We dive into if it has gotten any easier or more straightforward over the years. Currently, we have 37 states with some form of medical cannabis, and 18 with adult use, and every year it seems, we see those numbers increase as we head toward federal legalization. We talk about if there’s a difference in real estate needs and processes when it comes to medical versus adult use.

Bryan McLaren is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zoned Properties, a leading real estate development firm for emerging and highly regulated industries, including legalized cannabis. Bryan has a strong professional background in the social, economic, and environmental development of complex business organizations. Over his professional career, he has successfully implemented large-scale projects for corporate and community organizations. Prior to his role at Zoned Properties, McLaren worked as a Sustainability Consultant for Waste Management where he led the strategic development and operational implementation of zero-waste programs for Higher Education clients.

The Rise of Cannabis Consumption Lounges: Risk and Opportunities – Part 2

In Part 1 we covered Cannabis Consumption Lounges, what purpose they serve, as well as how the business models compare and contrast to other industries. We began to dip our toes into the liabilities and risks associated and how consumption lounges can protect themselves from something going wrong, or what to do if and when something does go wrong. We pick back up there with Jodi Green and Matt Grimes, as well as What else comes to mind about the risks associated with cannabis consumption lounges and more!

Jodi Green is a business attorney in Miller Nash LLP’s Los Angeles office, focusing on cannabis and policyholder insurance recovery. Jodi is a member of NCIA’s Risk Management and Insurance Committee and was named by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” in insurance coverage for five consecutive years. Miller Nash’s 140-member law firm has nearly 30 attorneys practicing in its nationally-recognized cannabis group alone. Miller Nash’s cannabis team serves cannabis companies operating in all industry verticals by providing advice in all legal practice areas, from corporate formation to employment, insurance coverage and litigation, and everything in between.

Matt Grimes is the principal of The Grimes Law Group. He sits on the Risk Management and Insurance Committee (“RMIC”) of the National Cannabis Industry Association (since 2019), currently serves as the webinar content Chairperson for the RMIC, is a Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Cannabis Law & Policy Committee (since 2021), is a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association, and is involved with several state cannabis industry associations and advocacy groups.

Veterans Action Council & NCIA Lobbies with Etienne Fontan & Michael Krawitz

NCIA is talking to Etienne Fontan, and Michael Krawitz of the Veterans Action Council. Being in D.C.s recently with NCIA for our 10th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days event, lobbying for the cannabis industry, most were talking to Congressional offices about SAFE Banking, 280E, and comprehensive reform like the CAOA. We discuss what the VAC members’ focus was on during their meetings with members of Congress, and how those meetings went.

Then we dive into the current bills out there that our guests are drumming up support for and how, if passed into law, would impact the lives of Veterans in the U.S. During the press conference, Etienne spoke at the podium set up in the Senate Swamp. He said shared very poetic and real sentiments about the sacrifices Veterans made with their lives and how important it is for Congress to act on their behalf.

Etienne Fontan is Vice President and Co-Owner of Berkeley Patients Group (BPG). BPG is the nation’s oldest continuously operating medical cannabis dispensary, established in 1999. He has an extensive background as an engaged activist and public speaker seeking to make cannabis legal and safe. Starting in 1993, he was a director of the Cannabis Action Network. He is an Army combat veteran of Desert Storm and served in the WV Army National Guard. He now lobbies nationally and internationally on veterans’ behalf for the use of cannabis and natural medicines.

Michael Krawitz is a disabled United States Air Force Veteran and serves as Executive director of Veterans For Medical Cannabis Access [VMCA] as well as other board and advisory roles. He successfully negotiated the first ever VA medical cannabis policy in 2010 and has since overseen the WHO process in Geneva and then the United Nations process on the WHO cannabis recommendations, ultimately removing cannabis and cannabis resin from the Single Convention Treaty “most dangerous drug category”. He also serves on the Virginia Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council.

Alexis Angulo | Pretty and Posh

Website: https://www.prettyandposh.us/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyandposh_inc/

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE

Extraction Equipment History and Regulatory Challenges

Tune in to learn more about Extraction Equipment History and Regulatory Challenges with Jack Naito, Luna Technologies today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice on The Cannabis Radio. Jack is a former Boeing aerospace engineer turned cannabis entrepreneur who started Portland, Oregon-based Luna Technologies, which manufactures cannabis extraction equipment, with his childhood friend, Kyler Buck, in 2016.

At the time, most of the equipment available was re-purposed from other industries including breweries and pharmaceuticals. These Frankenstein machines were inefficient, potentially dangerous, and difficult to operate. Jack and Kyler saw a better way. We start off by talking about some of its values as a company.

Extraction equipment is complex and expensive, we’re sure there’s some training that individuals need to go through to operate them. So with that safety is an important factor so we dive into that a bit.

Extraction equipment wasn’t originally invented just for cannabis, it came from other industries. Our guests take us through a brief history of where extraction machines came from before the cannabis industry.

NCIA represents small businesses and medium businesses primarily, or Main Street Cannabis, and we have been pushing through complex state regulations and preparing for potential Federal Legalization. We discuss some of the regulations they’re currently dealing with that give them the biggest headache. Also some improvements to regulations that he sees we need to implement.

A Busy Summer in Congress for Cannabis Policy Reform

Tune in to hear more about a busy summer in Congress for cannabis policy reform with Michelle Rutter Friberg, NCIA’s Deputy Director of Government Relations. Now that it’s August recess, we take a moment to cover some of the developments we’ve seen in Congress since the beginning of the year.

Seems like things are starting to feel somewhat back to normal, but we had to adjust and pivot as an organization in many ways. We hosted a couple of VIRTUAL lobby day events earlier in the year, so we dive more into those events, and how they went, plus planning for our upcoming in-person 10th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days in September.

Cannabis Mom, Podcasting Boss, and Bravo TV Fan, Jenny Blaze

Tune in to learn more about Cannabis Mom, Podcasting Boss, and Bravo TV fan, Jenny Blaze today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice. Jenny Blaze is a Digital Entrepreneur, Content Creator, Cannabis Advocate, and host of GoodPods #8 in the Top 100 Indie TV Reviews Chart, the Bravo & Blaze with Jenny Blaze podcast.

She is focused on bridging the gap between mainstream pop culture media and the Cannabis industry to modernize the perception of cannabis consumption and empower others to safely & confidently come out of the “Green Closet” through the launch of her new podcast, Cannabis Mom Boss.

Doug Kelly & Peter Contos | Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition

Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Doug Kelly and Peter Contos of Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition.

Follow CEIC on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE

A Conversation with the Cannabis Regulators Association

A Conversation with the Cannabis Regulators Association with Dr. Gillian Schauer, CANNRA today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice only on The Cannabis Radio. Dr. Gillian Schauer was elected CANNRA’s first Executive Director in 2021 and served as a Senior Advisor to CANNRA before the organization’s founding. Dr. Schauer has worked in public health and policy for nearly two decades and has a decade of experience working with federal and state agencies on cannabis policy, data monitoring, and research translation.

She has a Ph.D. from Emory University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington, and a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University. The Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) is a national nonpartisan nonprofit organization of government officials involved in cannabis regulation across more than 40 states and territories.

Nydia Zamorano-Torres | UR Wellness LLC

Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts with Khadijah and is joined by Nydia Zamorano-Torres of UR Wellness LLC.

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #MainStreetCannabis

Elizabeth Becker | hibnb

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE

Christopher Johnson & Kenny Cottrell | Cannalean

Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Christopher Johnson and Kenny Cottrell of Cannalean.

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE

Designing Cannabis Facilities With Mindful Sustainability

Tune in to learn more about designing cannabis facilities with mindful sustainability.

Facilities Design Committee, Kevin Quinlan serves on NCIA’s Facilities Design Committee, and is a principal of the Chicago-based engineering firm Mintropy.

He is a professional mechanical engineer, specializing in the design of HVAC, plumbing, and process systems for the cannabis industry. Using his experience in traditional engineering methods throughout his past, he applies his team’s depth of knowledge to create eﬃcient and economically sound solutions for cultivation and processing facilities.

Taking a custom approach to each project, Kevin has experience working in the traditional design-bid-build method, as well as in the design-build arena. Since Mintropy’s inception, he has led design projects for cannabis, commercial, industrial, and government buildings.

Since legalization in the state of Oregon in 2015, Kevin began working with the indoor agriculture community to further refine and innovate the design features for the cannabis cultivation sector, which he now brings to the midwest and elsewhere.

The Rise of Cannabis Consumption Lounges: Risk and Opportunities

Tune in to learn more about the rise of cannabis consumption lounges: risks and opportunities, with Mathew Grimes (The Grimes Law Group), and Jodi Green (Miller Nash), members of NCIA’s Risk Management and Insurance Committee.

Cannabis consumption lounges: what they are, how they work, why they exist, and why we need or want them? We compare a business model like this to something else that already exists in the alcohol industry, bars. Also for fine cigars, there are special cigar lounges. We talk about how cannabis consumption lounges are similar, and how they are different. We also dive into personal experiences our guests have had with consumption lounges so far.

Josh Gold | National Business Capital

Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Josh Gold of National Business Capital. Listen through the episode for a special promotion offer from National Business Capital, exclusively for Cannabis Minority Report listeners.

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE

Evolutions In Vaporizer Technology and Cannabis Oil Cartridges

Learn more about evolutions in vaporizer technology and cannabis oil cartridges with Mike Hogan of Thompson Duke Industrial today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice only on The Cannabis Radio. Today we start by talking about the vaporizer market. The devices are one part, as well as the actual cannabis oil formulas go into the cartridges. There’s a kind of standard, mass-produced vape pen battery you can get for $10, and most cartridges fit them, but there are also proprietary designs that require specific pods or cartridges. So we ask, what other evolutions of the vaporizer designs and technologies have you seen?

On the other hand, there’s the oil, as we mentioned, and we saw a health crisis hit our industry in 2019 and NCIA published a white paper on the vaping crisis. The issue was with the vitamin E acetate being used in the formula, and Massachusetts even banned vape pens entirely for a while. We discuss the reports that this was putting people in the hospital with lung infections.

New Dispensary Facility Design Trends In Cannabis

Learn more about new dispensary facility design trends in cannabis with Andy Poticha, Cannabis Facility Construction today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice only on The Cannabis Radio. Founder and CEO of Cannabis Facility Construction, a division of Mosaic Construction, a national design-build firm based in Northbrook, Illinois. Since 2015, Andy helped CFC become a national industry leader in full-service cannabis facility design-build working with multiple MSOs, independents, and start-up cannabis companies across the country. Currently, CFC has built and is in process of working on over 80 cultivation facilities, processing centers, and dispensary projects in 12 states.

We start off by talking about what’s new and trendy in cannabis facility construction and design. We start with retail dispensaries, which are customer-focused, public-facing, and see a lot of traffic, both on foot and literally with cars, which poses the question, what’s this new design feature you recently helped design for a dispensary in West Virginia? “Drive-thru cannabis” is an interesting new way to serve customers, reminding us of the “brew thrus” in the Outer Banks, NC, which was a new concept back then but now drive-through liquor stores are more common. This is ideal for certain types of customers but not others.

This design features really center around the customer needs, customer expectations, etc, like you don’t order a filet mignon at a drive-through. You want to sit down for a full dining experience, to draw a comparison, versus wanting a quick snack and getting in and out. As far as other facilities in the cannabis industry that are NOT so customer-facing like the cultivation facilities and manufacturing facilities. We talk about if there are any new design trends there to talk about or some standards that have developed through trial and error over the years.

Cannabis Minority Report | Season 3 Preview with Mike Lomuto

Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Khadijah is joined by Mike Lomuto, who oversees NCIA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and who co-founded Dao Mastery Consulting

#BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #HappyPride 🏳️‍🌈

Myths and Misinformation About Cannabis Banking Services

Tune in to learn more about myths and misinformation about cannabis banking services with Green Check Verified CEO Kevin Hart today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice. Green Check Verified is a leading provider of cannabis banking solutions and expert advisory services for financial institutions. He is an experienced, passionate, team-oriented leader that has held executive positions in venture-backed technology companies. Hart specializes in developing strategic plans coupled with organizational development with strong metrics-driven execution to achieve the next level of results. His diverse experience includes strategic planning, start-up and/or expanded business strategies, organizational development, sales organizations, and operational execution. All with exceptional executive relationships and BOD development.

Taking a look at the big picture, dispelling the misinformation and myths about banking in the cannabis industry, all of the challenges, and we know the SAFE Banking Act has passed the U.S. House six times now but died in the Senate. So there’s a lot of cash-heavy operations happening out there, but there is SOME KIND of banking services being used in our industry. We can use our debit cards at certain dispensaries for an extra fee, for example. Let’s say Congress passes some comprehensive federal legalization legislation or the standalone bill the SAFE Banking Act somehow makes its way to the President’s desk and gets signed into law. The idea is that this will allow banks to work with cannabis companies without getting in trouble with the DOJ. So we talk about what would that look like from Kevin’s perspective. Bigger picture, federal legalization will likely lead to opening up interstate commerce and even international commerce for our industry which would open up a whole new can of worms. We dive into what would the relationship between bankers and cannabis companies look like in that scenario.

Navigating The Process of Cannabis Technology Patents

Learn more about navigating the process of cannabis technology patents with Paul Coble and Scott Seeley. Paul is an intellectual property attorney with Harris Bricken and Chair of NCIA’s Cannabis Manufacturing Committee; Scott Seeley is an intellectual property attorney with Eastgate IP and is an Organizer of the Cannabis Manufacturing Committee.

We dive into some high-level topics surrounding patents in the cannabis industry. You can get a patent for just about anything, you just need to be the first person to invent it and submit the paperwork. Everything in our houses like paper towel rolls had patents, so now in the cannabis industry, we’re wrapping our arms around patents for things like vaporizer technology, and plant genetics. So to start, we ask what are the impacts of a patent, and what does it mean for a company.

Next, we define the challenges we’re seeing. There is a problem with bad patents being issued in the cannabis space, so we dive into what is a good patent versus a bad patent. We also discuss how they are being used in the cannabis space, as well as why they are important for cannabis operators.

Crafting New Jersey’s Cannabis Laws & Regulations

Tune in to learn more about crafting New Jersey’s cannabis laws & regulations with Fruqan Mouzon of Fox Rothschild. Fruqan helped craft the adult-use cannabis legislation in New Jersey, giving him a very unique perspective on the market in that state. We discuss what his role was and what the process was like writing that legislation, as well as what he believes were the mistakes and lessons learned in hindsight. Fruqan also explains some of the unique aspects of New Jersey’s cannabis market versus other states with legal cannabis, including social equity licensing provisions in the law.

A partner in the national Cannabis Law Practice Group at Fox Rothschild, he played a central role in New Jersey’s successful effort to legalize recreational marijuana. As former General Counsel for the New Jersey Senate Majority, Fruqan worked closely with legislative leaders to craft the state law that cleared the way for adult-use cannabis in the Garden State.

Fox Rothschild is A national law firm with 950 attorneys in more than 70 practice areas and is a true pioneer in the field of cannabis law. Fox was among the first major law firms to embrace the industry and is consistently ranked among the nation’s top cannabis law firms in Chambers USA.

Our guest helped craft the adult-use cannabis legislation in NJ, so which gives him a very unique perspective on the market in that state. We talk more about what that process was like, what Fruqan’s role was officially, as well as who he worked with to accomplish all this. More specifically, New Jersey of course is an east coast state, and we’re seeing all these little colonial states get on board with cannabis in recent years. We dive into what are some of the other unique aspects of New Jersey’s cannabis market that Fruqan can point to or explain for us. We are really encouraged to see more states including social equity licensing in the regulations from the get-go rather than as an afterthought, and we’d like to hear more about what we can expect from New Jersey. Also in that respect how its cannabis market will reinvest and perhaps alleviate some of the damages done by the war on drugs.