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Los Angeles-area cannabis operators are prioritizing the safety and security of their employees and relief efforts amid historic wildfires raging across the region that have killed at least five people, displaced countless others and decimated 2,000-plus structures.

While it's far too early to assess potential damages to the local marijuana industry, a handful of retailers in Malibu and around Altadena are in or near evacuation areas, according to maps published by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and cross-referenced with store locations.

A Rise outlet in Pasadena operated by Green Thumb Industries is among the closures, according to an automated message at the business.

Other local marijuana businesses, including retail-chain operator Catalyst Cannabis Co. and Mammoth Distribution, had accounted for all employees and reported no damages or closures.

"We've been lucky on fires, no issues," Catalyst CEO Elliot Lewis told MJBizDaily.

Mammoth Distribution's manufacturing headquarters in North Hollywood is located about 10 miles north of the Sunset Fire, which erupted Wednesday night in the Hollywood Hills.

"Most importantly, none of our employees have lost their home," said Wesley Hein, head of global brand expansion at Los Angeles-based Mammoth and president of the California Distribution Association.

"But I believe everyone in the city … have friends or family who have lost their homes, so it's an incredibly emotional time for all." Read story >

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N O R T H   A M E R I C A

Canopy USA appoints Jorgensen as first president

Photo courtesy of Canopy Growth

Canopy USA, the American-based holding company of Canadian cannabis operator Canopy Growth Corp., has appointed M. Brooks Jorgensen as the fledgling entity's first president.

Jorgensen, a cannabis and alcohol beverage industry executive with more than 25 years of experience, will focus on driving profitable growth across the United States for Canopy USA, the company said.

Jorgensen was selected to lead the company roughly a month after Smiths Falls, Ontario-based Canopy Growth completed its acquisition of New York-headquartered marijuana multistate operator Acreage Holdings.

Canopy Growth in 2022 announced plans to accelerate its entry into the U.S. cannabis market through the creation of Canopy USA, which will be headquartered in Colorado. Read story >

C A N A D A

Cannabis operator Entourage inks deal to go private

Photo by MJBizDaily/Emerald

Canadian cannabis company Entourage Health Corp. plans to go private in a deal with its primary investor and lender, a major pension fund.

According to a purchasing agreement with 1001007762 Ontario, the affiliate of LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPFCEC) will acquire all of Entourage's issued and outstanding common shares for 0.005 Canadian dollars per common share.

"After thorough evaluation, the Special Committee is confident that the proposed Transaction offers the most favourable outcome for the Company and its shareholders in light of the current challenges and the upcoming expiration of the current forbearance agreement," Jason Alexander, director and chair of the special committee of independent directors for Entourage, said in a statement.

A maximum of $250,000 will be paid to certain convertible debt holders under the same terms. Read story >

N O R T H   A M E R I C A

7 cannabis industry predictions for 2025

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The U.S. Congress failed to pass marijuana reform bills, and the Drug Enforcement Administration delayed reclassifying the drug as a legitimate medicine until this year.

Voters largely rejected adult-use legalization - including in Florida, where marijuana multistate operators spent nearly $150 million in a losing effort - giving credence to the idea that easy and available reform efforts have maxed out.

Yet very big changes loom on the horizon for the cannabis industry.

Relief from the tax burden of Section 280E is closer than ever, and President-elect Donald Trump will soon become the first POTUS to have endorsed an adult-use marijuana legalization measure.

Here are MJBizDaily's seven cannabis industry predictions for 2025. Read story >

N O R T H   A M E R I C A

Receiver picked for Red White & Bloom subsidiary in Michigan

Photo by vchalup/stock.adobe.com

A Michigan circuit court has appointed a receiver for the assets of PharmaCo, a property of Canada-based cannabis multistate operator Red White & Bloom Brands.

PharmaCo, which was acquired in February 2022 by Red White & Bloom subsidiary RWB Michigan, has operated licensed medical and adult-use marijuana stores and conducted limited cultivation in Michigan.

Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren appointed Trust Street Advisors, through agent Gen Kohut, as receiver for PharmaCo's assets.

The receivership order was issued after continued and uncured defaults under a loan agreement between PharmaCo and its senior secured lender. Read story >

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M J B I Z C O N

The onramping of Minnesota cannabis

Jen Riese, North Star Law Group

Jen Reise of North Star Law Group shares insights on how the Minnesota cannabis industry is evolving in 2025, live from the show floor at MJBizCon with host Jay Rosenthal of Cultivated Media.

Reise says she's proud of Minnesota's development, despite it still being a waiting game for the full market launch.

The state has provided an onramp for both consumers and entrepreneurs by introducing regulations allowing hemp-derived beverages, edibles and smoking products can be sold and purchased while the state waits for the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to launch the adult-use framework. Watch clip >

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