Good morning.
Welcome to October, or the spookiest of seasons. 🎃
As a reminder, we’ll be off on Thursday for Yom Kippur. Back to it on Friday.
And, later today, Jay will be a panelist on MarigoldLive: Building Global Cannabis Brands at 2 PM EDT. Register to join.
-JB, JR, ZH, NM
This newsletter is 615 words or about a 4-minute read.
Today’s newsletter made possible by:
💡What’s the big deal?
CULTIVATED THIRTY THIRTIES
Honoring 30 trailblazers shaping the future of cannabis 🚀
Today, we are proud to announce the launch of Cultivated Thirty Thirties 2025 celebrating the rising leaders shaping the future of the cannabis industry.
It’s our annual list recognizing 30 standout cannabis leaders in their thirties who are shaping the industry’s future across operations, brands, finance, technology, policy, retail, and ancillary services.
From October 1 to October 24, we’ll be accepting nominations from across the sector — spotlighting innovators, entrepreneurs, advocates, and change-makers under the age of 40.
A panel of industry experts and Cultivated editors will carefully review submissions against clear criteria, including industry impact, leadership and influence, community contribution, and future potential.
The final list of 30 honorees will be announced on November 20, recognizing those who are not only making their mark today but also driving the cannabis industry forward into tomorrow.
⏩ Quotable
“By then, San Francisco was proof of concept that social-equity programs designed for people of color and drug-war victims could be yet another vehicle for white, wealthy entrepreneurs to enter the cannabis industry. Similar techniques were deployed to piggyback on social equity across the country…” journalist Chris Roberts writes in The San Francisco Chronicle.
It’s great reporting and well worth your time.
🚀 Deals, launches, partnerships
Simplifya raises $2 million 💰
Simplifya, a Denver-based company that builds compliance software for cannabis and hemp companies, raised $2 million in new equity funding from existing investors. The raise wipes out the company’s debt and marks a rare capital infusion for an ancillary cannabis business at a time when funding in the sector has been tight. Learn more.
Tilray expands in Germany 🇩🇪
Tilray is expanding its craft cannabis production in Germany, adding five new high-THC flower strains grown at its facility in Neumünster. The products will be sold through doctors and pharmacies, strengthening Tilray’s role in the country’s medical cannabis market. More here.
Artelo Biosciences prices $2 million public offering 📈
Artelo Biosciences $ARTL ( ▼ 1.62% ), a Nasdaq-listed biotech developing cannabinoid-inspired therapies for cancer, pain, and neurological conditions, priced a $2 million public stock offering at $4.40 per share. The raise, led by R.F. Lafferty & Co., gives the California–based company fresh runway as it advances its clinical pipeline. Read more.
🧳 People moves
A big day for cannabis media news…
HIGH TIMES celebrates 50th anniversary 🌿
High Times is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special print issue and the return of its Cannabis Cup to New York this fall. The magazine also named veteran cannabis journalist Javier Hasse as its full-time Editor-in-Chief. RAW founder Josh Kesselman purchased the venerated magazine earlier this year in an all-cash transaction.
THE OTHER magazine taps longtime cannabis media execs 🗞️
The Other Magazine, a Hudson Valley, NY cannabis lifestyle publication, named Richard “Ranch” Guerra as CEO and Chris Foltz as COO as it heads into its second year. With more than 300 dispensary partnerships and a growing slate of events, the magazine, just a year old, aims to expand its reach across New York. Check it out.
📰 What we’re reading
America’s marijuana debate is flawed | The Dispatch