Cannabis Display Cabinets

TradeshowGuy Exhibits: Planning Notes for Cannabis Collaborative Conference

http://www.tradeshowguyblog.com/2018/06/legal-cannabis-industry-evolves-with-tradeshows/

Lori Ajax, Chief of the California Bureau of Cannabis Control gives the opening remarks during the California Cannabis Business Conference in Anaheim, CA on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

As a wanna-be 70s hippie I follow the evolution of the legal cannabis industry with great interest. Not because I don’t use it so much anymore, but I’ve always felt that the use of marijuana – or as its getting to be known – cannabis – should be a personal choice, and government shouldn’t be locking people up for simply using it. I figure if the state allows alcohol as a social drug, it has no valid argument to disallow cannabis. But politics aside, it’s a fascinating industry.

Now that cannabis is legal across much of the country, with more states (and countries – Hello, Canada!) to follow, the first thing you’ll be seeing is much more data coming out. For instance, I ran across an article which shows that the method of cannabis consumption is changing. In the old days, you’d roll a joint. Maybe you’d bake some bud into a batch of brownies, and hope you ate the right amount. But now there is data showing that people are smoking it less and eating it more or finding other ways to consume cannabis without smoking.

So why is this topic showing up on a blog dedicated to tradeshows and the event industry? Because there happen to be a BUNCH of tradeshows dedicated solely to cannabis. For instance, there’s a big show in San Jose this summer, the Cannabis Business Summit, put on by the National Cannabis Industry Association, that will attract hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees. And a listing at the Cannabis Business Times shows quite a few cannabis related events.

I’ve attended at least a half-dozen cannabis events in Oregon over the past few years and chatted with dozens of exhibitors about the industry and how they’re finding their way through an industry that, until just a few years ago, didn’t legally exist. Now that it’s out in the open, it wants to shine. Hence, the explosion of tradeshows and conferences dedicated to the industry.

Another twist: in the old days, it was never called cannabis. It was called marijuana, and the scourge of the devil weed, or reefer, spawned panicky movies (Reefer Madness), conspiracy theories and so on. Here’s a quick take on the reason it’s called cannabis these days and is rarely referred to as marijuana.

And what about the exhibitors? How are they faring in a new legal industry? I’ve spoken to many of them over the past couple of years, and as you might imagine, it’s a mixed bag. Some exhibitors are well-prepared with sharp-looking, functional exhibits. Others have barely managed to put up a cheesy vinyl banner hanging from the back of the drape behind an organizer-supplied table. In other words, it’s like a lot of industries.

I heard talk from some exhibitors that when legal cannabis happened here in Oregon, a lot of money rushed into the industry. Businesses were snapping up storefronts, staking out their ground and doing what they could to promote their new businesses. But since that beginning rush (no pun intended), reality is a bit of a come down. Some businesses have closed, others are trying to sell.  It’s a marketplace where a glut of product is keeping prices down. And this comes all with an industry that is heavily taxed by the state so that it can be regulated properly. I recently saw that Oregon suspended applications for new cannabis outlets due to the backlog. For a deeper dive into the Oregon Economic Forecast that looks closer at recreational and medical marijuana, check this out (direct PDF link).

All of which brings me back to the statewide event industry and how its working with cannabis producers, retailers and supporting businesses. Coming in January, TradeshowGuy Exhibits will take part in its first cannabis-related event as an exhibitor. We’ll be at the Cannabis Collaborative Conference in Portland on January 23-24, 2019.

How Marijuana Is Transforming the Event Industry

https://www.thetradeshownetwork.com/trade-show-blog/how-marijuana-is-transforming-the-event-industry2

Editorial use only Marijuana trade show cultivation samples. Trader distributing samples of marijuana plants (Cannabis sativa) that have been grown using LED (light-emitting diode) grow lights. This trader is participating in Indo Expo, a trade show in Denver, Colorado, USA, for companies selling goods and services to the marijuana industry. The commercial cultivation, manufacture, and sale of cannabis was legalised in the US state of Colorado in 2012, with the first trading taking place from 2014. Photographed on 12 July 2015.

Four states legalized recreational use of marijuana in November—California, Massachusetts, Maine, and Nevada—bringing the total number to eight plus Washington, D.C. and the number is growing!!   As these laws go into effect, and attitudes toward the drug begin to soften, expect to see everything from cannabis-infused food and beverages to rolled marijuana cigarettes at events such as festivals, weddings,  trade show events, and more.

Merry Jane is a digital media outlet launched by Snoop Dogg in 2015 that provides news and opinions regarding cannabis products, policies, and lifestyle. As associate director of marketing for Merry Jane, Maya Cooper leads events and partnerships for the brand. “The cannabis industry has thousands of events each year around the country. Most in legalized states, but they’re popping up everywhere,” Cooper says. The brand’s experiential marketing takes many forms, from exhibits at industry trade shows and conferences to producing “the Merry Jane experience” at private parties and creating cannabis-theme experiences in states where the drug is not legal.

“We’re planning something at South by Southwest, to do something immersive that embodies the traits of a cannabis event but still adhering to all laws,” she says. “We partner with some edible companies where they will feature non-infused products. The goal is brand awareness when there can’t be sampling involved.”

At Art Basel in Miami in December, Merry Jane partnered with Viceland television network to offer guests hand, foot, and neck massages with lotions and oils made from cannabidiol (CBD) oil, which is legal and non-psychoactive. The activation also included a CBD oil vape lounge and weed-theme portraits from pop culture cartoonist Napkin Killa.

In states where marijuana is legal, Cooper says they have created “bud bars” that combine product education with sampling. “We’ll partner with a dispensary to bring the product, and they’ll have a ‘bud-tender’ that knows everything about the product to explain to partygoers,” she says. “We might have large martini glasses with nuggets of weed for people to touch and smell. There will be pre-rolled joints and the bud next to it. And then there’s a gifting component with sample-size goodies.” The rules regarding recreational use and possession vary among states that have approved it. Cooper says the dispensaries can be a valuable resource to ensure laws are being followed, and she also suggests planners seek legal counsel.

When her clients want to offer edibles, Gordon says she evaluates products and dispensaries like she does any other vendor. “First you go with reputation. Then you meet with them, you ask for references,” she says. At her events where marijuana products are offered, Gordon says she has emergency medical technicians on standby and also educates the event staff on how to recognize guests that may be having a negative reaction.

Chris Yang is a scientist-turned-chef who hosts monthly cannabis-infused fine-dining events at the Container Yard in Los Angeles under his brand PopCultivate. Each event includes a seven-course meal, with about three of those courses offered with cannabis infusion for guests that carry a medical marijuana card or uninfused for those that do not. Yang also brings in musicians, artists, video designers, and performers to make each one a unique, curated experience.

“I’ve been cooking with cannabis for a little bit. The scientist in me was very unsatisfied in using food as a mechanism for dosing because it’s not very precise. I prefer to infuse a nonalcoholic cocktail we make,” he says. “For food, you have to consider how to put it in, what kind of food it is, and the portion size. I will infuse it usually in a salad or soup and in the main course with olive oil.”

Yang also does catering and he is now working to create PopLiving, a lifestyle brand that will encompass a test kitchen, smaller dinners, a social club, and additional cannabis-based experiences.

DISPENSARY DISPLAY CABINETS and CASES

These 4 States Could Approve Adult-Use in November 2020

https://gopurepressure.com/blogs/cannabis-news/these-4-states-could-approve-adult-use-in-november

The 2020 election in the United States will be a turning point for Americans in many walks of life, and the cannabis industry is no different. Four states have the opportunity to legalize adult-use cannabis thanks to ballot initiatives passed earlier this year.

Consumers in these states will no doubt desire high-end cannabis products like ice water hash and solventless concentrates, should voters decide to approve these measures. Each of these four states reached this point in their unique ways, but one thing holds – the people have spoken, and they believe it’s time to decide on recreational laws in their state.

Arizona – Passed Adult Use

After an adult-use measure failed to pass in Arizona in 2016, it’s back on the general election ballot in 2020. This year’s initiative, Prop 207: The Smart and Safe Arizona act, was led by the group Smart and Safe Arizona. State officials qualified Prop 207 for this year’s ballot on August 10.

If passed, adults aged 21 and older would be legally able to possess up to one ounce of cannabis with up to 5 grams of concentrates. Possession of over an ounce but under 2.5 ounces would be considered a petty offense. The offense would likely result in a fine for the offender. Possessing more than 2.5 ounces is an arrestable offense, although at this time, it is unclear if the crime would be for simple possession or for possession with intent to deliver.

Residents who live alone could legally grow up to 6 plants, while homes with two or more adults grow up to 12 plants. An excise tax of 16% would be placed on the sale of cannabis products when dispensaries open on April 5, 2021, at the latest.

Cannabis consumption is permitted only in residents’ privacy – not in public places such as sidewalks and parks. Consuming in public would also be considered a petty offense. Operating any motor vehicle (even a boat or a plane) while high would be a punishable offense under the state’s zero-tolerance policy. Edibles would be capped at 10mg, with packages of edibles limited to a total of 100mg.

Connoisseurs in the Grand Canyon state already have a love for solventless extractions and similar products like ice water hash. However, interest from multiple state operators (MSOs) to establish dispensaries isn’t as high as other states because it is hard to get a license in Arizona.

The quick turnaround in states like Arizona, making a speedy transition from medical to possible recreational, reflects a fundamental shift in attitudes towards cannabis that Americans now have. According to the Pew Research Center, this rapid shift in state cannabis markets is thanks to a change in public perception, as 67 percent of Americans now favor legal cannabis.

If Prop 207 passes in Arizona, it is likely to infuriate one prohibitionist in particular – former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost to his former deputy in his run for reelection as sheriff. Although Arpaio claimed to support medical cannabis “kind of,” NORML gave the former sheriff an F grade on cannabis policy because the former Sheriff “has one of the worst records on cannabis justice in the history of American politics.”

New Jersey – Passed Adult Use

Although most cannabis legalization policy initiatives are qualified via signatures, New Jersey is unique. Voters will decide this year on Public Question 1. If passed, an amendment will be made to the state constitution legalizing cannabis for adults 21 and over. If approved, the Garden State will become the third in the northeast U.S. to legalize adult use. The state commission overseeing the sale of medical cannabis would also oversee the adult-use market.

Massachusetts was first in the Northeast to legalize adult-use, with sales becoming fully operational as of November 2018. Voters in Vermont decided they wanted legal cannabis in July of 2018, becoming the second in the Northeast to do so, but recreational sales have not yet gone into effect. If passed, sales in New Jersey could become operational faster than most states because policymakers laid out legal weed sales last year – with the Assembly falling short of passing the law by only five votes.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D) introduced the previous legalization bill that narrowly failed to pass. Still, he believes New Jersey can be “a leader” in the Northeast for recreational sales, according to Marijuana Moment.

“Public Question No. 1 would also create a legalized cannabis marketplace overseen by the State’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission,” the Senator added.

New Jersey’s people overwhelmingly support legal cannabis, with seven out of ten voters polled indicating as such earlier this summer. Another more recent poll showed voters supporting the measure by a ratio of 2 to 1. One of the more notable of those with roots in the garden state showing public support for the effort is filmmaker Kevin Smith, well-known for his films Clerks, Dogma, and the Jay and Silent Bob movies.

Despite this overwhelming support, 70 municipalities already said no to legal sales in their area. NJ.com reports that police in the state are still making 100 simple possession arrests a day, of which a disproportionate number are people of color.

Montana – Passed Adult Use

In June, Montana activists collected a total of more than 130,000 signatures from supporting voters, qualifying two state ballot initiatives. Statutory Initiative 190 would legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis in the state, as well as the possession and consumption of limited amounts. The MT Department of Revenue would oversee the licensing and regulation of sales, cultivation, and transport of cannabis products.

Activists with the organization New Approach Montana spearheaded the legalization campaign and the two ballot initiatives, saying that taxes and fees could generate about $48 million a year by 2025. If passed, a 20% tax would be placed on non-medical cannabis sales in Montana, with particular revenue accounts for conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, and veterans’ services.

However, there is a bit of a snag in the legalization efforts of the people of Montana. The state constitution defines people over 18 and older as adults, “except that the legislature or the people by initiative may establish the legal age of purchasing, consuming, or possessing alcoholic beverages,” according to New Approach MT.

For the legalization of adult-use to happen in Montana, Constitutional Initiative 118 would have to pass, which would allow the state legislature to establish the legal age of purchasing and consuming cannabis. The second initiative stipulates that only persons 21 or older in Montana can consume cannabis.

Opponents of the two ballot questions, Wrong for Montana, attempted a last-minute lawsuit, arguing to the state Supreme Court that the initiatives violated state law by appropriating money to particular programs. The Supreme Court rejected the suiters’ petition, stating that they failed to demonstrate reasons to move the case to the high court urgently. Such claims must first be heard by the state trial and appeals courts.

As such, Montana citizens will vote on the two initiatives as planned.

South Dakota – Passed Both Medical and Adult Use

South Dakota could create history if it passes two cannabis-related ballot questions.

Led by policy reform activists from the groups South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws and New Approach South Dakota, voters will decide on whether to enact into law both medical and recreational cannabis simultaneously. Measure 26 would establish a medical cannabis program for patients with qualifying conditions with doctors’ recommendations. Constitutional Amendment A would establish regulation and licensing for the sale of cannabis to adults 21 and older for recreational purposes, as well as protect medical patients’ access to plant medicine.

If enough voters say yes to amendment A and Measure 26, South Dakota could become the first state to pass recreational and medical at the same time. The unprecedented occurrence would come during an unparalleled year and create an uncharted path in American cannabis laws. If both ballot measures pass, South Dakota officials would have to establish regulations and policies for two emerging markets simultaneously.

South Dakota’s medical cannabis program appears to have garnered much voter support, including an ad from a retired state police officer. However, there isn’t as much support for the recreational market, which could fail and possibly be voted on again in 2022 and 2024. The most prominent legalization opponent is South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R), who appeared in an ad from the No Way On Amendment A committee. The governor says she’s heard from law enforcement and addiction counselors who favor the continued prohibition of cannabis.

As the legal Marijuana business continues to grow by leaps and bounds, it is expected to run into some difficulty in the more conservative states.  Overall the Cannabis display case industry is growing extremely fast and our company is in the middle of hiring additional carpenters and glass and aluminum specialist to meet the demand.

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CANNABIS DISPLAY CASE DESIGNS AND MANUFACTURING GUIDELINES

Balancing Compliance With Environmental Sustainability

https://cannabisbusinesssummit.com/2020/06/15/balancing-compliance-with-environmental-sustainability/

While it’s important for the legal cannabis industry to ensure patients have access to medicine, push for policy that removes the plant from the purview of law enforcement, and proactively address the harms of the drug war, there’s one area of social justice that directly impacts the lives of every human: protecting the environment.

From increased awareness of illegal trespass grows to the importance of sustainable farming practices and much more, cannabis business owners and operators must find a way to prioritize environmental sustainability while also building a viable industry. In this post, we explore why tackling plastic packaging and the waste from vape products is the first order of business.

The Plastic & E-Waste Problem

E-cigarettes and cannabis vaping have increased in popularity over the last decade. As a result, there’s an even greater burden on the environment with batteries, pods, and pens winding up in landfill and increasing the risk of ground and water contamination. Between China’s role as the epicenter of vape component manufacturing, and legal cannabis existing under state-led regulatory structures as opposed to federal legalization, there is no central recycling or other disposal program in place to help consumers understand how to properly dispose of e-waste.

At the same time, legal markets mandating the use of single-use, child-resistant, and other protective packaging in addition to exit bags at retail has contributed to the industry’s continued reliance upon plastic, despite the rampant pollution it causes.

Exploring Solutions

These realities underscore the critical need for the industry to seek out innovative solutions that balance legal compliance with environmental sustainability. Companies have started sourcing other materials for their packaging designs including glass, hemp, and even plastic removed from the ocean. On the retail side, some stores have activated loyalty programs to encourage customers to return packaging to the store for recycling. And individual jurisdictions have started educating consumers about what’s recyclable, reusable, or trash from their cannabis product packaging.

Driven in part by the coronavirus outbreak placing Chinese manufacturing on hold, cannabis companies are already looking to American sources for managing possible lapses in the supply chain. If adopted on a larger scale, with time, the move could ultimately shift vape manufacturing to the U.S., making it possible to create a system of domestic production in which setting and enforcing national guidelines for environmental sustainability will be the utmost priority.

Join us for many educational panels on these topics the upcoming Cannabis Business Summit in San Francisco, happening September 29 – October 1, 2020 at Moscone Center. The National Cannabis Industry Association started advocating for a responsible cannabis industry a decade ago, and in celebration of its 10th year, NCIA brings its business-to-business cannabis tradeshow to the birthplace of the medical cannabis movement. Cannabis business owners and operators won’t want to miss this opportunity to meet industry leaders, explore products and services to help grow their business, and learn the latest insights from the industry’s largest and most influential trade association.

 

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