Grown In - The Cannabis Industry Newsletter

Break-in at Verano cultivation center; new cannabis VC fund; Michigan’s cannabis-infused election scorecard

By Brad Spirrison | August 6, 2020

Notable news and nuggets pertaining to Illinois and Michigan-based cannabis industries.

Spence aims to solve dispensary payment holdups with a new twist on old technology

By Mike Fourcher | August 6, 2020

Spence, a payments collaboration between a fintech veteran and a Chicago bank with roots in cryptocurrency, was publicly rolled out this week with the aim of solving cannabis dispensaries’ cash payments problems.

Opinion

Despite $61 million in July sales, a buzz-kill may await the next wave of Illinois cannabis retailers

By Brad Spirrison | August 6, 2020

Consumers within the proximity of dispensaries with reliable supply are living in groovy times. Dispensary owners that don’t control their own supply, however, remain nervous.

Chart of The Week

Illinois lags on dispensaries

By Mike Fourcher | August 3, 2020

Illinois has fewer legal cannabis dispensaries than any state, including Nevada, which has 9.7 million fewer people.

Leader Interview

CannaRegs founder–turned Fyllo Chief Strategy Officer Amanda Ostrowitz on creative compliance in advertising cannabis

By Brad Spirrison | August 3, 2020

Amanda Ostrowitz discusses her approach to entrepreneurial problem-solving, “feelings”-based cannabis marketing techniques, and what type of brands are resonating with Illinois consumers in the Covid-infused summer of 2020.

Illinois

Market barriers to CBD hemp don’t dissuade Midwest Cannabis Coalition leader from big agenda

By Mike Fourcher | August 3, 2020

When the national Hemp Industries Association ended their local states organizations, Kalee Hooghkirk quickly launched an organization of her own, The Midwest Hemp Coalition, with a big agenda.