This newsletter is passionate about the power of the plant to change people's lives
This newsletter is passionate about the power of the plant to change people's lives
Narc of the week and baseball
Narc of the week
While there are many positive developments in cannabis these days, it’s important to remember just how much harm has been done to communities historically, particularly urban areas and communities of color. And the work is nowhere near done. There are plenty of biased citizens and politicians who would gladly see the longstanding stigmatization and harassment of cannabis consumers continue. Opportunistic capitalists and disingenuous grifters will continue to advocate for limited competition and the criminalization of legacy market participants — anything to protect their dollar.
So, in the spirit of vigilance, we’re starting a new weekly segment where we’ll highlight something standing in the way of progress. Introducing our first Narc of the week:
That’s the founder and former CEO of Curaleaf advocating for a crackdown on “illegal” weed shops around New York City. Curaleaf is one of the big, corporate MSOs that we’ve talked about before. Evidently, they are unhappy that other businesses aren’t following “the rules” — you know, the ones that have granted Curaleaf a monopoly for years and allowed it to become the world’s largest cannabis company.
This take is especially egregious coming from Curaleaf, a company funded by Russian oligarchs1, found guilty of illegal union-busting, and forced to recall thousands of products due to safety violations. The rules evidently only apply to everyone else.
Lusardi’s twitter bio claims he’s “Passionate about the power of the plant to change people's lives.” I guess he means the power of the police state to continue to harass and imprison everyday people, while allowing billionaires and corporate interests free reign.
Narc!
Baseball’s back
Pitcher’s and catcher’s started reporting to camp this week, which means that baseball is back. Major League Baseball is among the more progressive professional sports leagues when it comes to cannabis, and even has its own official CBD sponsor. And I smoked a joint in the bleachers of Yankee Stadium last year and no one said squat.
Also, you may not know that Scott’s Miracle-Gro, the official lawn-care company of Major League Baseball, has their own cannabis division, Hawthorne.2 One division helps kill weeds, another helps to grow it. Beautiful. They’re also currently embroiled in a lawsuit with TerrAscend — an MSO with exclusive rights to the Cookies brand — over a New York expansion acquisition. Stay tuned folks!
Other Puff
A new leaf? The Cornish company trying to unlock secrets of cannabis
The Slate Phuket Says Bong Appetit To Cannabis-Infused Dining
First cannabis markup of the new congress comes roaring out of the gate in month 2
Schumer Meets With GOP Senators To Discuss Marijuana Legislation For New Congress
Chairman Boris Jordan made billions in Russia and is a buddy of Putin
The company sells hydroponic grow equipment for cultivators