John Kagia, the New York Office of Cannabis Management’s director of policy, will inherit some specific challenges as New York’s fourth cannabis czar since 2024.
Chris Roberts
Chris Roberts's Latest Posts
Major cannabis REIT says it’s recovering from MSO tenant woes
A major cannabis real estate company – and the main landlord for marijuana multistate operators – says it’s recovering from struggles caused by unpaid rents.
Tax hike crashed Michigan marijuana sales
An unprecedented cannabis tax hike that took effect in Michigan on Jan. 1 significantly depressed legal sales, recent state data shows. Michigan marijuana retailers reported about $227 million in sales in January, according to state Cannabis Regulatory Agency data....
Virginia medical cannabis sales steady ahead of adult-use launch
Virginia medical cannabis sales are holding steady after a record month in
Researcher: Cannabis cleared for sale can still be tainted by mold connected to ‘scromiting’
State cannabis testing regulations don’t screen for harmful contaminants like mold that may persist even after remediation, a researcher warns.
The penny shortage is a serious cannabis retail problem
President Donald Trump killed the penny. Cannabis retailers need to prevent the coin’s gradual disappearance from becoming a problem.
Why cannabis retailers are praying for snow
Record snowfall in January meant record sales at Massachusetts cannabis retailers – well in excess of the 4/20 holiday.
Nebraska medical cannabis at risk of federal raids before it begins
Nebraska is the first state with a medical marijuana program to not be protected from federal Justice Department interference with a Congressional budget rider.
Massachusetts considers cannabis cultivation permit freeze
Massachusetts cannabis retailers are selling more product than in the past, and there are more operators in business than ever in the $1.6 billion annual market. But amid dropping prices – and with more cultivation canopy per capita than other states – state marijuana...
If America has a marijuana problem, The New York Times wants to make it worse
America’s leading newspaper laments the country’s “marijuana problem,” but the New York Times’ treatment is worse than the disease.
Illicit market fears arise as Virginia adult-use marijuana launch date debated
Virginia marijuana sales could begin in November, but some advocates want a delay that others say would boost the illicit market.
2026 adult-use marijuana legalization prospects dim as Hawaii, Pennsylvania efforts fade
Will there be any new states with adult-use marijuana legalization in 2026? Advocates are hopeful but chances appear slim.
