February 3, 2025  l  Sign Me Up

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More than 85% of regulated marijuana products sold in Colorado's adult-use market might violate health and labeling laws, according to a recent report by one of the state's cannabis operators.

Frustrated by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division's reluctance to test state-regulated marijuana products and punish those found to be breaking the law, Ripple CEO Justin Singer asked his staffers to visit Denver-area cannabis retailers on Nov. 12 and purchase the flower, shake and pre-rolls brands "they would normally purchase."

The company then sent unmarked, unadulterated samples - bud, shake and pre-rolls - to a state-regulated cannabis laboratory to have the products tested for potency, yeast and mold, pesticides and microbial contamination.

According to the lab results, only two of the 15 products purchased at Denver-area retailers complied with state regulations, and some were found to have dangerous levels of contaminants.

Out of 15 cannabis products purchased for the study, 12 (or 80%) reported THC content outside the 15% variance allowed under Colorado law; the potency level printed on labels averaged 34.2% higher than what was discovered in tests ordered by Ripple.

"This was worse than I expected," Singer told MJBizDaily. Read story >

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Weekly roundup of MJBizDaily's most-viewed stories

F I N A N C E

Why 2025 could be a banner year for marijuana investors

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Despite euphoric highs to sobering lows in cannabis capital markets, today's market environment presents an unparalleled opportunity for discerning investors, thanks to unique deal structures, compelling valuations and the ability to identify and back exceptional management teams.

The cannabis industry's struggles with access to capital have fundamentally reshaped the competitive landscape.

Over the past two years, funding sources have dried up, leaving many companies to adapt or face extinction.

This environment has proved to be a litmus test for management teams.

Companies that relied on continuous funding to mask operational inefficiencies are no longer able to do so, leading to the emergence of two distinct categories - resilient operators and distressed assets. Read story >

R E T A I L

Signs of price contraction in Ohio's adult-use market

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Products in Ohio's recreational marijuana market are showing signs of price contraction only five months after sales began.

Adult-use sales for the market topped $242.2 million in 2024, meeting industry expectations for the potential of a market that launched on Aug. 6.

And while sales are growing, an analysis of weekly adult-use data from Ohio's Division of Cannabis Control shows the price per item/pound in almost all the categories slid, with more than half the products experiencing double-digit declines.

Plant material, which accounts for 52% of recreational sales in Ohio, almost doubled since the market opened.

Ohio consumers bought 2,158 pounds of plant material in the first week of January 2025, up from 1,284 pounds in the week ending Aug. 10.

But declining prices could be feeding that demand. Read story >

P O L I C Y

Maryland lawmakers introduce restrictive bills for MJ lounges

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Maryland legislators have introduced two complementary bills to establish rules and regulations for cannabis consumption lounges.

House Bill 0132 and Senate Bill 0215 would create 15 licenses that would allow operators to sell and serve marijuana-infused beverages and edibles from third-party suppliers in a consumption space akin to bars.

However, smoking marijuana inside such spaces would be prohibited under the measures, which likely will be a deal breaker for consumers, advocates and the industry.

Infusing cannabis into any prepared foods on premises also would be restricted.

The proposals would require a business to secure a separate license to operate and host marijuana events, which must register with the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA), the state's top regulator, at least 60 days before their scheduled dates. Read story >

P O L I C Y

PA budget crisis boosts adult-use legalization chances

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Pennsylvania's budget crisis could make it the next battleground for adult-use marijuana legalization.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a likely contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, has pledged to yet again call on state lawmakers to legalize adult use in Pennsylvania during his annual budget address on Feb. 4.

The marijuana industry, in turn, organized a fundraiser for the governor in early January where some of the state's medical cannabis operators informed him that up to 60% of customers shopping at adult-use stores in cities bordering Maryland, New Jersey and Ohio come from Pennsylvania, several attendees told MJBizDaily.

That represents lost revenue, which underscores a key issue for Shapiro - the state's budget deficit.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are staring down a gap as big as $3.7 billion, and they have few options other than revenue from regulated and  taxed cannabis available to fill it.

Lawmakers, operators and advocates alike believe that budget pressure will be what finally gets longstanding bipartisan recreational marijuana legislation across the line in 2025. Read story >

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L I V E   T H U R S D A Y

Cannabis entrepreneurs with NFL ties are throwing down their gridiron knowledge and cannabis smarts to see who will be crowned the 2025 MJBiz Super Bowl Trivia champion.

But it's not all fun and games.

After the trivia, moderator Tammy Pettigrew, co-founder of The Cannabis Cutie and sports reporter, will dive deep into topics centered around sports and cannabis including how these gridiron greats have shifted their athletic careers to cannabis, challenges faced with navigating the regulatory landscape, building a brand identity in cannabis, social equity and the future of cannabis and sports policy. 

Featured speakers:

Marvin Washington (New York Jets, Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers): Cannabis sports advocate and retired NFL Super Bowl champion.

Eugene Monroe (Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens): Retired NFL athlete, entrepreneur/coach, co-founder of Green Thumb Industries and founder of Collective 60.

Rob Sims (Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions): Retired NFL athelete and co-founder of Primitiv Group and Primitiv Performance.

Bo Scaife (Tennessee Titans): Former NFL athlete, and founder of All Pro Farms and Your Favorite Wellness Provider.

Mike James (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions): Cannabis activist and partner in Lion Order, a Rohan Marley-led movement that is "committed to the elevation and edification of consciousness via plant medicine."

Brought to you in partnership with Sports Cannabis.

R E S O U R C E S

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