April Pride originally wanted to sell "beautiful products" for storing and sharing marijuana. She launched her Seattle-based company, Van der Pop, in January 2016 with the aim of putting together a cannabis paraphernalia business. But she quickly pivoted to a...
John Schroyer
John Schroyer's Latest Posts
Kush Bottles acquires cannabis extraction supply company
One of the larger ancillary U.S. cannabis companies announced Tuesday that it just got even bigger. California-based Kush Bottles revealed in a news release that it acquired Colorado-based Summit Innovations, a purveyor of hydrocarbon gas used by marijuana extract...
New medical marijuana rules go into effect in Montana
Medical marijuana providers in Montana will start testing, labeling and tracking their products as new rules take effect Tuesday for state officials to keep close tabs on cannabis plants from seedlings until they're sold. The sweeping regulations cover everything from...
California reminds marijuana firms temporary licenses set to expire
California cannabis regulators are alerting marijuana companies that temporary business permits that took effect at the start of the year will begin expiring at the end of April. Regulators issued the temporary permits during the state's transition into a new...
Maryland to issue more medical marijuana business licenses
Maryland lawmakers agreed to expand the state's medical marijuana industry, in large part to resolve a conflict over minority representation in the business. Under the terms of a deal passed Monday by both chambers in the state legislature, Maryland regulators will...
Chart: Breakdown of California marijuana companies that got cease-and-desist letters
Nearly 1,000 individual cannabis businesses have been sent cease-and-desist letters or emails by California regulators during an ongoing enforcement process, a first step in a long effort to ensure the state’s industry is fully regulated and operating like those in more mature markets.
Week in Review: Illinois’ MMJ banking, Massachusetts’ rec licensing & Florida lawsuit
An Illinois bank stops serving Illinois medical marijuana businesses, Massachusetts begins its recreational cannabis licensing process, and a Florida MMJ company takes the state to court.
Marijuana Policy Project launches national search for executive director
A prominent national cannabis reform organization, the Marijuana Policy Project, has begun a search for a new executive director. MPP's current interim director, Matthew Schweich, will remain on the job "until his successor has been named," according to a news...
California testing labs expect marijuana ‘bottleneck’ in July
Marijuana testing labs are going to be the gatekeepers for California's legal cannabis industry come July 1, when only lab-tested products may be sold by licensed retailers. And that means this summer could become a pain for any licensed cannabis company in the Golden...
Massachusetts gets 218 recreational cannabis applicants on first day
Massachusetts companies that want to operate retail marijuana stores in Massachusetts submitted a whopping 218 applications on the first day businesses could apply for recreational MJ business permits. The applicants are seeking priority certification that will give...
Utah medical marijuana campaign may pit Mormon church against governor
Medical marijuana isn't a hit with everyone in Utah. Even though MMJ legalization is polling at about 77% in favor and is almost certain to be on the ballot in November, Gov. Gary Herbert said he's formally urging voters to reject it. And the initiative is garnering...
Investing in cannabis: Q&A with Kevin O’Leary of ‘Shark Tank’
Billions of dollars in investment capital are waiting on the sidelines, watching the global marijuana industry boom. And that money will continue sitting the game out until Congress takes action to resolve the fact that marijuana is illegal at the federal level.












