Gearing up for legal cannabis

Tobacco Journal International May 2024

Dried cannabis on gavel standThe legal recreational use of cannabis for smoking, eating and drinking has skyrocketed in  the United States in the more than 10 years since the state of Colorado became the first US jurisdiction to legalise the plant for adult recreational consumers in January 2014.1 As of 29 February 2024, some 38 states have legalised the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes and 24 of these (plus the federal District of Columbia) also allow recreational consumption. More states are expected to follow suit this year, with liberalisation proposals under consideration in Florida, Hawaii, South Dakota and New Hampshire.
As a result, analysts from Germany-based statistical analysis service Statista said annual American sales of legal, regulated cannabis products have already exceeded USD
30 billion. Continue reading

High time for hemp

(Soap, Perfumery & Cosmetics, November 2016)

With marijuana prohibition sliding, the American personal care sector is looking to boost the use of hemp, says Ed Zwirn

Hemp Spa Gift SetAs a decades-long prohibition on the production and sale of the Cannabis sativa plant and its components are falling away throughout North America, the use of hemp as a personal care product ingredient is on the rise. Continue reading

Banking, Tax Regs Eat Into Marijuana Profits

By Ed Zwirn

(published Aug.19, 2016 in CFO.com

marijuanamoneyThe legal cannabis sector is experiencing geometric revenue growth, but finance execs face formidable challenges managing the money.

If one looks at the top line, the legal marijuana business may very well be the stuff that entrepreneurial dreams are made of. As of this writing, some 25 states in the U.S. have passed laws that allow for some degree of medical or recreational use of the cannabis plant.

Continue reading

Hemp food sales in the US set for growth

Sales of hemp-based foods are growing in the U.S.

Sales of hemp-based foods are growing in the U.S.

Just-food.com

July 19, 2016

By: Ed Zwirn

The liberalisation of regulations has opened the door to hemp­based food products in various US states. Growing consumer interest in the natural products industry also looks set to support expansion of what remains a nitch area. Ed Zwirn looks at the prospects for this fledgling sector. Continue reading