Protests across the United States over the treatment of black Americans have prompted calls for companies to address racial inequities and increase diversity.
The cannabis industry has a long way to go, as evidenced by a recent study of Denver’s marijuana market.
But Illinois-based Cresco Labs took a step this week by appointing the first person of color to its board of directors. In addition, rapper Method Man is forming a business with the goal of bolstering blacks in the cannabis industry, according to Bloomberg News.
MJBizDaily takeaway: Uncomfortable, but critical discussions are under way about the issue. But Wanda James, president of Denver cannabis company Simply Pure, warned of efforts that only pay lip service to systemic racial injustice and inequality.
Tilray execs face shareholder suit
A new stockholder lawsuit alleges top executives at Canada-based cultivator Tilray misled shareholders and engaged in insider stock sales related to a revenue-sharing deal with Authentic Brands Group.
MJBizDaily takeaway: Experts say the cannabis industry’s growth and volatile stock prices have attracted the interest of plaintiff lawyers.
Shareholder class action claims, for example, more than doubled from 2018 to 2019, according to the Boston-based Goodwin law firm, and the trend shows no sign of abating. To reduce the likelihood of being sued, cannabis executives must be forthright and companies must be vigilant about making accurate disclosures.
Canopy’s pay to new CEO raises eyebrows
Canadian cannabis firm Canopy Growth is paying its CEO a salary of nearly $1 million (1.3 million Canadian dollars) – a huge jump from its previous CEOs – at a time the company is cutting costs and its workforce.
MJBizDaily takeaway: Industry experts say such a salary boost sends a bad signal to investors, and the optics are even worse considering that some cannabis CEOs are currently taking pay cuts.
Vireo, Linton part ways
In a relationship that barely lasted through the honeymoon phase, Minnesota-based multistate operator Vireo Health and former Canopy Growth co-CEO Bruce Linton severed ties after seven months.
MJBizDaily takeaway: The market loved the original announcement, expecting science-savvy Vireo CEO and physician Kyle Kingsley to benefit from Linton’s entrepreneurial, swashbuckling style and investor expertise.
But a lot has happened since then: Capital markets have dried up, a recession has taken root and companies now are focused on cash and their most profitable operations.
Hemp firms still can get federal stimulus money
Hemp and CBD businesses still have time to tap federal government-sponsored economic relief programs, experts say.
A whopping $130 billion, for example, lingers in the federal Paycheck Protection Program.
MJBizDaily takeaway: Rules are confusing, prompting small businesses to be justifiably wary.
Hemp and CBD companies are advised to examine the eligibility requirements and assess to what extent they would benefit from the stimulus packages and whether it’s worth the hassle to even apply. Banking relationships, still hard to come by, also continue to be key to obtaining some of the funds.
Canadian exports of dried cannabis more than double
Last year, federally regulated producers in Canada exported about 3,740 kilograms (8,245 pounds) of dried marijuana for scientific and medical use, according to data Health Canada provided to Marijuana Business Daily.
That’s well more than double Canada’s 2018 export of 1,460 kilograms.
MJBizDaily takeaway: The export market for dried cannabis isn’t nearly as “vast” as many Canadian companies lead one to believe. Though growing rapidly, shipments from Canada mostly went to one market – Germany – which is starting its own local production soon.
That means export momentum will be tough to maintain. Businesses should not rely on exports to buttress their bottom lines, because the export market remains a tiny fraction of the overall market.
Jeff Smith can be reached at jeffs@mjbizdaily.com
International editor Matt Lamers contributed to this report.
