Good morning and happy Monday.
Thanks for starting your week off right with us.
Let’s get to it.
-JB, JR, ZH, NM
This newsletter is 533 words or about a 4-minute read.
📣 Quotable
"As my time as Speaker, it is the single most contentious topic. The issue has been so divisive in our caucus three times, but they don't realize how close they are," Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch said.
Welch told Central Illinois Proud that lawmakers were approaching an agreement on upcoming hemp regulations in the state. One side of the issue wants to limit access to synthetic delta 8 THC, while the other wants to ensure that small businesses who rely on intoxicating hemp sales are not forced to shut down.
⏩ Quick hits
Canada chips away at illicit market 🇨🇦
Here’s why coherent federal regulations matter (looking at you, America): Seventy-three percent of Canadian cannabis consumers report purchasing cannabis at legal shops in 2023, per new research. Overall, the study found that approximately three-quarters of all cannabis products were obtained from legal retail channels. Read more in StratCann.
Politico sunsets cannabis vertical 📰
Politico has reassigned their cannabis reporters, Natalie Fertig and Mona Zhang, to new beats, Cultivated has learned. Fertig is the States News reporter, while Zhang covers New York State policy. Editor Paul Demko has joined the New York team. The team did excellent work, and we’re sorry to see them off the beat!
🤝 Deals, launches, partnerships
UK medical cannabis company raises $6 million 🇬🇧
Medical cannabis clinic and digital health platform Mamedica raised a £4.5 million or $6 million funding round, led by cannabis-focused venture fund Casa Verde Capital, managing partner Karan Wadhera shared with Cultivated. Investors also include former premier League stars Bobby Zamora and Mark Noble.
Israeli cannabis company eyes the US 🇮🇱
InterCure, Israel's largest licensed cannabis producer, announced on September 19 that it had acquired Botanico Ltd., allowing the company to gain access to the American market on what it said it hopes is the precipice of rescheduling.
And more:
Jushi opened its sixth Beyond Hello dispensary in Ohio on Sept. 19. The opening marks the multi-state operator's 41st storefront nationwide.
Those who abstain from alcohol but are still interested in downing a shot or mixing a cocktail, can soon indulge in 1906's neutral spirit with equal parts THC and CBG. A full 750ml bottle contains 200mg of each cannabinoid. 1906 founder Peter Barsoom joined Cultivated Live earlier in the year, in case you missed it.
🔬Science & research
Medical group warns about cannabis use during pregnancy 👶
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued what should be an unsurprising warning: Using cannabis while pregnant can lead to health problems, including low birth weight and developmental delays. Due to the increase of acceptance in cannabis use, the ACOG recommends universal screening for cannabis use among pregnant patients, while also warning that those already tested are disproportionately people of color.
📰 What we’re reading