EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 720.907.1923

Laura Hamilton

Laura has more than 25 years of business-to-business editorial experience for both online and print publications. She has covered broadband engineering, international cable TV, wireless technology and more.

Five top considerations before acquiring a cannabis cultivation site

Published April 30, 2020

Beware of getting caught up in the race to secure a cannabis farm. The risk of getting stuck with an impractical or unproductive site is high. But the cost of mitigating that risk is relatively low.

Marijuana companies used 4/20 virtual events to drive sales, build community amid coronavirus crisis

Published April 30, 2020

With the coronavirus pandemic leading to stay-at-home orders around the U.S., large gatherings were not allowed this year. But that didn’t stop some cannabis companies from organizing their own virtual festivities.

Cannabis executives participate in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Published April 23, 2020

In recognition of National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, Marijuana Business Daily asked cannabis executives to send photos of themselves with their kids at work.

Cannabis businesses being good citizens amid COVID-19 crisis

Published April 10, 2020

Hand sanitizer was suddenly nowhere to be found as the coronavirus crisis escalated. Cannabis companies around the U.S. took their cue and saw an opportunity to pivot toward making a now-essential product without too much disruption to their manufacturing processes. And businesses didn’t stop at hand sanitizer.

CARES Act for cannabis companies: A financial expert’s take

Published April 10, 2020

The federal government has come out with the single most expansive relief package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act , since the New Deal of the 1930s. While the CARES Act is certainly sweeping in its mandate, there is one sector potentially missed – the cannabis industry.

A COVID-19 legal checklist for California cannabis businesses

Published April 8, 2020

As an essential business, California licensees have both rights and very significant responsibilities to employees, customers and regulators – so the stakes of understanding the letter and intention of the law have never been higher.

Week in Review: Medical marijuana deemed ‘essential,’ MJ shops see brisk sales amid coronavirus crisis but deal with related business challenges & more

Published March 21, 2020

States and local municipalities are increasingly declaring that medical marijuana businesses are “essential” operations and can keep their doors open during the coronavirus health crisis. MJBizDaily takeaway: Industry watchers note that as government officials in more areas of the country place MMJ dispensaries in the same category as other essential businesses such as pharmacies, this marks […]

Week in Review: Coronavirus’ effects on marijuana firms, Tilray plans $90M raise, Maine aims to tackle illicit MJ & more

Published March 14, 2020

Marijuana retailers, vape product suppliers and MJ industry conferences and trade shows are among the cannabis businesses dealing with challenges related to coronavirus. MJBizDaily takeaway: On the supply side, businesses that rely on cannabis vape products sourced from China are feeling the strain, as are manufacturers that use Chinese companies to provide packaging. But many are looking […]

Advice on 280E for marijuana executives: Settle in lieu of fighting with the IRS

Published March 12, 2020

As a former Federal Commissioned Officer of the Internal Revenue Service, here’s my advice for cannabis companies and section 280E of the U.S. tax code: Settle with the IRS – rather than fight it in U.S. Tax Court.

Week in Review: UN delays cannabis vote, marijuana events keep eye on coronavirus, another MJ business founder steps down

Published March 7, 2020

This week’s United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) meeting in Vienna indicated the division among nations over the World Health Organization’s cannabis scheduling recommendations. The CND pushed back a vote to December and declined to immediately take up voting on recommendations that would have far-reaching implications for the global cannabis industry. MJBizDaily takeaway: The […]

Week in Review: UN drug chief ponders validity of cannabis control treaties, coronavirus effects on marijuana sector, US authorities loosen hemp testing rules & more

Published February 29, 2020

The United Nations narcotics enforcement agency president considers whether drug control treaties are outdated, experts share insights on how the coronavirus might affect the marijuana industry, MJ labs could see new opportunities in testing hemp – and more of the week’s top cannabis business news. UN drug chief questions drug control conventions The head of the […]

Directors and officers liability insurance is increasingly important – and costly – for cannabis companies

Published February 25, 2020

Cannabis industry authorities predict more bankruptcy filings and insolvency proceedings by cannabis companies in 2020.

Under this scenario, businesses low on cash struggle to raise funds or are unable to compete, forcing them to seek protection under federal bankruptcy and/or state insolvency and receivership laws.