Athletic Cannabis & Fancy Papers
Athletic Cannabis & Fancy Papers
Weed news has arrived.
The Broccoli Report
Monday, February 14, 2022
Time to read: 5 minutes, 38 seconds. Contains 1127 words
Good morning, and Happy V-Day! ❤️
I hope you enjoyed last week’s Lonely Entrepreneurial Hearts Board as much as I did. It was amazing to see the diversity of the subscriber community here, and I’m excited for future opportunities to connect. Thank you again for making it so special!
Today, I’m once again reaching out for input—this time, for an upcoming roundtable about 🤑getting paid🤑. Specifically, the tricky moment when you decide when and how much to pay yourself as you get a company going. Because every entrepreneur’s experience is different, and every company has its own priorities and path to follow, we’re hoping to gather input from a variety of founders. So if you are a founder, we’re curious: when did you start paying yourself? How did you pick when the time was right? And knowing what you know now, what’s your advice to other folks starting businesses? Sure, average pay rates are Google-able, but hearing real anecdotes from real, like-minded people in weed is gold. If you are open to getting candid and helping to inspire/reassure/guide fellow entrepreneurs, reach out to yoshikolauren@gmail.com.
This Friday, we’re talking about crushes. Not mine (though this extravagant gold and diamond weed bracelet merits mention), but the industry in general, which is all heart eyes for live resin and rosin. These flavorful, potent forms of concentrate are showing up in absolutely every corner of weed and hemp. We’re going to explore why concentrates are having a moment, how brands are getting creative with it, and what parallels to the food world might tell us about trends ahead. Subscribe to see what the fuss is about.
One-Hitters: Cannabis News at a Glance
New concerns for hopeful Mississippi medical cultivators: A major electricity provider has threatened to cut off service to any customers operating cannabis-related facilities. Officials from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned utility company and one of three main suppliers of wholesale electricity in north Mississippi, say that because the plant is federally illegal, they can refuse to power facilities that grow or sell medical cannabis.
Time will tell whether Mississippi’s new medical program will reach the heights of Oklahoma’s, where more than 12,000 cannabis-related businesses currently operate and about one in 10 people have medical cards. There’s a very dark side to that volume, though: OK regulatory officials report inspecting just a quarter of licensed marijuana businesses. Read the rest of this NBC piece for more on the unexpected side effects of a dangerously thriving medical market.
The NFL announced full funding of its novel clinical trial assessing the therapeutic efficacy of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Researchers and professors at the University of California at San Diego will lead a randomized, double-blind trial monitoring a group of professional rugby players. While I’m heartened to see evidence of researchers working with esteemed cannabis figures like athlete advocate Anna Symonds, I’m skeptical that this indicates any larger policy changes ahead for pro players. The NFL’s decision to award $1 million to this study is earning them a lot of positive press at a time when the organization is under fire for other major issues, and let’s be real—$1 million in the world of professional football is the tiniest drop in the bucket.
Eaze compiled data from 380,000 profiles in California and Michigan to create its comprehensive “State of Cannabis Report.” Many of the demographic and product trends remained consistent, but Eaze’s Social Equity Menu saw a 72% year-over-year increase in dollars spent, and a 51% increase in the number of products sold—indications that shopping ethically may be an enduring consumer priority rather than a temporary trend. One other observation: Michigan shoppers cared more about high THC numbers than Californians. To me, this is evidence that it takes education and time to help consumers understand that THC percentages don’t always equal a satisfying high.
Leafly began trading on the Nasdaq last week following a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger with Merida Merger Corp. As of writing this newsletter, it’s up 6%.
Mexican-American-owned brand HUMO celebrates Latino heritage and the Latino community with their flower offerings. Terpenes, flavor and cultural references inspired each cultivar name, like the sweet, creamy Cajeta, named after one of Mexico’s most beloved goat’s milk caramel confections. The heavy-hitting Pulque is named after a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage made with fermented agave. Marketer and advocate Susie Plascencia serves as brand partner, working on brand development, social media, marketing, and sales. The flower is grown by HUMO’s parent company, POSIBL, in Monterey County, California.
Former NFL running back and Heisman winner Ricky Williams launched his cannabis brand, Highsman, in CA and OR. I wrote out this Boardroom interview with Williams and his poignant comments on cannabis perceptions struck me. For a guy who spent much of his career apologizing for weed or answering reporters demanding why he “chose weed over football” to become a beacon for stoned football fans in an unwelcoming pro sports culture and find himself as a healer—that’s a journey.
The San Mateo County Library will highlight Alia Volz’s cannabis-infused memoir Home Baked with a virtual conversation with the author on February 15th at 6:30 p.m. PST. Volz will discuss her experiences growing up in 1970s San Francisco while her mother ran Sticky Fingers Brownies, an edibles bakery. If you’re in the area, you can take part in their giveaway program and score a free copy of the book while supplies last, and anyone can register to attend the book chat.
Looking to hone email marketing skills? (Vital, imo—Substack exists because of successful email engagement!) Consider checking out this Email Marketing 101 sesh hosted by ALMOSTCONSULTING on Tuesday, March 1st. The workshop will walk attendees through the why and how of email marketing, which platform to choose, how to build your email list and rhythms, and decoding an audience's content preferences.
French rolling paper brand Devambez collaborated with hype dyer Audrey Louise Reynolds on a gorgeous set of watercolor pre-rolls that drops this week.
Kenni Field, one of my fave ceramic pipe makers, is currently taking commissions for custom pipe colors, glazes, and funky finishes for no extra cost! It’s a great opportunity to get something custom for a loved one or yourself. DM or email the artist directly at kenni.field@gmail.com to place an order.
I’m enamored by the font-tastic “More Sex, More Weed” ashtray Sackville & Co. made with Jasmina Zornic. There is much destigmatizing work to be done in both realms, and this clashy, loud aesthetic breaks through hushed, shameful thoughts in a joyful way. 100% of the profits of the ashtray go to the Urban Justice Center’s Sex Worker’s Project.
To more love and more weed, today and always,
Lauren Yoshiko