Hi,

As we've reported, mandatory urine drug tests that detect cannabis use from up to 30 days prior have caused a truck driver shortage. The Department of Transportation now allows companies to administer oral tests. Though they don't effectively test for inebriation, the 24-hour window should help more drivers pass. This change means more employment opportunities, happier bosses, and prompt consumer shipping—a win-win-win for everyone! :)

A year ago, the Canadian government agreed to discuss industry-hampering regulations with cannabis business leaders to find mutually beneficial solutions. However, they still haven't scheduled the talk. It's hard to be optimistic about prompt reform when they can't even schedule their own meeting about reform. :)

In a display of government tone-deafness, while US cannabis has generated $4B in taxes, Texas senators killed a bill allowing Texans to vote on legalization. This underscores politicians' tendency to fight against democracy due to ideological beliefs or special interests. Supporting democracy shouldn't require supporting cannabis!

Feel free to subscribe to our Cannabis or CBD News Roundups.

Thanks and have a magnificent week!
Jessica

P.S. Apologies for the broken images in past newsletters. Our ex-image host, imgbb.com, deleted years of images without explanation—potentially because of our newsletters' cannabis content...and their meanness. :(

05/01/23
Cookies Partner dismisses one of two lawsuits and criticizes press coverage.
Cannabis Testing Lab Viridis North accuses Michigan of "stonewalling" evidence disclosure in a recall dispute involving $229M worth of products.
Acreage Holdings (CSE: ACRG.A.U, ACRG.B.U) (OTCQX: ACRHF, ACRDF) sees a 26% YoY increase in 2022, with sales rising to $237.1M for the year.
BZAM (formerly The Green Organic Dutchman) (CSE: BZAM) (OTC: BZAMF) reports a 100% increase in Q4 gross revenue, reaching $24M compared to the previous year's $12M.
Cansortium (CSE: TIUM.U) (OTCQX: CNTMF) announces a 28% revenue jump in Q4 to $23.5M, with Florida's revenue increasing by 26% to $19.4M compared to $15.4M.
Curaleaf (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) discloses a $370M loss for 2022, including a $260M loss in Q4 alone, attributing much of the loss to exits from three states.
PharmaCielo (TSXV: PCLO) (OTCQX: PCLOF) sees Q4 sales jump to $1.5M compared to the previous year's $339K, while the net loss for the quarter is trimmed to $2.9M versus last year's $4.1M.

05/02/23
Entourage Health (TSX-V: ENTG) (OTCQX: ETRGF) reports a decline in Q4 revenue to $12M, compared to Q3's $13M.
Green Thumb Industries (OTC: GTBIF) (CSE: GTII) reveals Governor Wes Moore's blind trust holds nearly $1.2M in stock.
Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency expects a $4.4M budget to establish a state-run marijuana testing lab.

05/03/23
Green Thumb Industries (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) posts a $9.1M profit and $249M in revenue for Q1 2023.
Illinois collects $562M in cannabis taxes in 2022, ranking second only to California.

05/04/23
Green Thumb Industries (OTC:GTBIF) agrees to a 50% wage hike following a 13-day worker strike at several dispensaries.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians withdraws its support for a $64M loan to back the Tribe's medical cannabis program, following a veto from Principal Chief Richard Sneed.