Happy Tuesday, everyone.
We’re getting excited for turkey in a few days, and to see many of you in Vegas next week! We’ve got some cool things planned, so be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Let’s get to it.
-JB, JR, ZH, NM
This newsletter is 780 words or about a 5.5-minute read.
Today’s newsletter made possible by:
📣 Quotable
“It's disappointing to see the federal government leading with fear rather than a vision for the future, and cutting off access to a variety of hemp-based products,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said on X.
“Here in Colorado, we are proud of the community of farmers who were the first in the nation to begin growing hemp, and for their positive impact on our economy.”
⏩ Quick hits
Hemp trade group proposes regulatory framework 🌿
The US Hemp Roundtable, an industry trade group, released a high-level look at the regulations it proposes for the intoxicating hemp industry after lawmakers banned hemp-derived THC. The regulations include extending the moratorium to two years, raising the federal floor from 0.4 mg of THC to 5 mg of THC, allowing states to set their own policies, and banning synthetic cannabinoids. The group is holding a webinar on December 10. Read more.
Florida judge strikes 200,000 signatures in legalization effort 🗳️
A Florida state court upheld a move from the state to invalidate about 200,000 signatures for the campaign to put legalization back on the ballot next year. The court claims the signatures were collected without the proper proposed language. The decision could put the latest effort to legalize in jeopardy long before next November.
Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association urges voters to contest signature in ballot dispute 👎
The Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association is urging voters to formally challenge or withdraw their signatures from a ballot measure that would potentially recriminalize the state's adult-use cannabis market. The campaign for the 2026 ballot recently submitted what it believes is enough signatures to make it on the ballot, but recent news reports have implied that the campaign was allegedly dishonest in how it characterized the campaign when gathering those signatures.
LIT ALERTS’ INSIGHTS
Last year’s Green Wednesday sales lift 📈
In 2024 there were some interesting regional patterns for Green Wednesday.
Even with discounts varying widely from 15-50% off, Green Wednesday once again delivered huge sales spikes for retailers across the country.
Our partners at Lit Alerts took a look at 2024 Green Wednesday data from some of the largest adult use markets on the East Coast including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland as well as the Midwest including Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri.
Most markets experienced somewhere between a 65-80% lift in sales when compared to an average sales day in November 2024 and a roughly 20% increase when compared to an average Saturday in November 2024. Saturday being the busiest day of the week in most states.
New York stood out last year with retailers experiencing approximately 105% lift in sales when compared to an average sales day in November 2024 and a whopping 49% increase in sales when compared to an average Saturday in November 2024. It will be interesting to see how this year plays out in New York as the rate of new locations has slowed and the novelty of the legal market has worn off.
In Midwest states like Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri, Green Wednesday only slightly nudges out Black Friday, another day that has become quite popular for retailers to extend Green Wednesday deals or offer new Black Friday deals.
In the East Coast markets of New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts Black Friday usually drops off, looking more like a regular Saturday in terms of sales.
What will Green Wednesday in 2025 look like?
Check back next week when Lit Alerts will compare 2024 to 2025.
Have a look at Lit Alerts’ exclusive insights into 2024 Green Wednesday. 👇
To learn more about Lit Alerts and get a special offer only available to Cultivated readers, visit litalerts.com.
🤝 Deals, launches, partnerships
Minnesota's first government-run dispensary is expected next year 💵
Osseo, Minn. is expected to become home to the state's first municipal government-run cannabis shop in mid-2026. Unlike many other states, Minnesota's cannabis laws allow municipal governments to open their own dispensaries. MJBizDaily has more.
1️⃣ One fun thing
New York cannabis brand MFNY is dropping its BagelHole pre-roll, shaped like a bagel, just in time for the high holidays:
📰 What we’re reading
What will a ban on most US hemp products mean? | The Guardian
Pour One Out for Weed Seltzer | The Atlantic