April 25, 2025  l  Sign Me Up

F E A T U R E D   S T O R Y

Predatory investors undermine intent of cannabis social equity in New York

Photo by Pcess609/stock.adobe.com

We can all relate to that sinking feeling when we find out something isn't aligned with how we understood it.

In September 2022, my partner and I applied for a Conditional Adult-Use Recreational Dispensary (CAURD) license that would allow us to open a recreational cannabis store in New York state.

More than 900 other applicants also applied for the social equity CAURD licenses, an absurdly low turnout when you consider the number of arrests for marijuana-related incidents in the state.

Thirty-two of us in this first cohort were chosen to step into provisional status.

When it comes to funding, we've entertained quite a few indecent proposals along the way, writes MJBizDaily guest columnist Kim Stetz, mostly from millionaires who have the means to fund us but want full ownership instead of loan interest or a reasonable share of equity.

So, when social equity is a part of the equation, is it business as usual? I should hope not. Read story >

More Headlines

• California marijuana testing lab sues state to recover suspended license. Read story >
• Minnesota targets farmers growing cannabis in $2 million grant program. Read story >

Sponsored

Big-picture view of global cannabis markets

N O R T H  A M E R I C A

Why cities in regulated MJ markets don't host an official 'weed week'

Photo by Mike Rosati, courtesy of David Downs Presents for MJBizDaily/Emerald 

Every vice seems to have its day in San Francisco, a city infamous for indulgence.

But despite widespread acknowledgment of San Francisco as one of the cradles of legal marijuana in the United States with significant cannabis retail and production located within city limits, a "weed week" party remains the odd fun out.

There's a whiff of a double standard at play.

After all, hop fanatics line up in the rain every February to have an internationally renowned brewer pour them a rare pint during SF Beer Week.

And celebrity chefs with enough Michelin stars to fill a firmament just finished bussing the tables that filled up during Spring SF Restaurant Week.

Fashion Week, Pride Week, Folsom Street Fair. The list goes on and on.

And all these occasions enjoy the earnest encouragement of San Francisco City Hall.

Yet there was no "official" 4/20 event in Golden Gate Park for the second year in a row after organizers and city officials failed to reach an acceptable arrangement.

But the San Francisco example played out more frequently in otherwise-cannabis-friendly cities across the country.

The general lack of sanctioned cannabis festivals – or some other form of civic celebrations other commodities and industries enjoy – is another demonstration of how regulated marijuana still doesn't enjoy the same official embrace extended to other retail and hospitality sectors.

But Canada could be a trailblazer. Read story >

C A N A D A

Village Farms gets extension to regain Nasdaq compliance

Photo by JHVEPhoto/stock.adobe.com

Cannabis operator Village Farms International has received a 180-day extension to regain compliance with the minimum closing bid price of $1 per share required to maintain its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

The extension comes after the April 16 expiration of the initial 180-calendar-day period to regain minimum closing bid compliance, according to a company news release.

It's not the first time Village Farms, which has offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Lake Mary, Florida, has been in this position. Read story >

More Headlines

• 2025 MJBiz Factbook, cannabis industry's leading data source, now available. Read story >
• Rescheduling or descheduling marijuana: How would industry be impacted? Read story >
• Former cannabis executives share tips for successful exits.
  Read story >
• Doctors who support marijuana rescheduling drop lawsuit against DEA. Read story > 

Sponsored

R E S O U R C E S

MJBizDaily is the leading resource for the cannabis industry, cited by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Harvard Business Review. MJBiz also produces the No. 1 cannabis business conference, MJBizCon.

Share MJBizDaily

Forward this email to friends and colleagues to keep them on the up and up with the latest cannabis business news and insights from MJBiz.

MJBizCon 2025

December 2-5, 2025  l  Las Vegas  |  Learn More