Hi all,

You may have noticed WeedWeek‘s pub date slipping around a bit recently. This owes to a few factors, but one is a tech overhaul that’s now almost done. I’ll be off for the holiday and the newsletter will return on Thursday, December 1. After that, Thursday will be the target pub date every week. 

In the newsletter:

• Weed’s free speech wars

I’m thankful for your ongoing interest and support. Have a great one.

Alex  

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SCOOP: Eaze spins off Momentum equity program

Delivery app Eaze has spun off the Momentum equity program, an accelerator it started for equity entrepreneurs. Over three cohorts it gave 30 businesses $50,000 (non-equity)  grants each.

Jennifer Lujan who started the program at Eaze and will continue running it outside the company are still in business. While the structure of the next cohort and the sources of funding remain up in the air, Lujan said she hoped to have another cohort next year. 

• Eaze will continue providing an unspecified amount of financial support. It will also give the startups space on the app’s social equity menu.

Lujan said the new organization is exploring companies, governments and other funding sources.  

• She cited edibles maker Ciencia Labs (originally Dreamt),  south LA dispensary Gorilla Rx and Detroit-based Neighborhood Provisions as stand-out successes.

State:

• Consultancy Global Go discussed the DCC’s new regulations.

Business:

• The industry descended on Las Vegas for MJBizCon. CNBC took it in.
  MJBiz
• Retail Touch Points examined The Artist Tree‘s approach to retail.
• A Michigander who claims Sacramento’s residency requirement is unconstitutional is appealing his case to the Ninth Circuit.
  Law360

Local:

• Sonoma County growers are racking up fees as they wait for permits.
  Press-Democrat
• Four years after the city of Sacramento approved the city’s equity program, Embarc opened the city’s first partly funded storefront.
  ABC
• Huntington Beach (Orange Co.) will consider dispensaries.
  CBS
• Following the mid-terms, Humboldt Congressman Jared Huffman discussed the state of the local industry.
  Lost Coast Outpost
• After finding strong resident support, Paso Robles (SLO Co.) will consider allowing shops.
  KCBX
• Santee (San Diego Co.) said it would approve its first shops on a merit-based system.
  San Diego Union-Tribune
• In Carpinteria, a controversial shop got the green light.
  News Press 

Crime:

• Marijuana Venture tells the story of Justin Costello, a well known figure in Washington state’s industry who was arrested in SoCal and charged with mail and wire fraud and securities fraud.   
• It’s been 17 years since the unsolved murder of Humboldt activist Les Crane.
  KymKemp

Fun and interesting:

• Universal is partnering with Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures on a biopic of the rapper and weed icon. Snoop also has a new line of pet accessories: Snoop Doggie Doggs.
  Deadline

Company milestones:

• Cookies said it would start selling seeds carrying its celebrated genetics. The link also features highlights from Berner’s mainstage talk at MJBiz.
• Kiva’s distribution arm  landed a partnership with breeder Seed Junky.
• A group of Humboldt farmers is launching direct to consumer brand: Humboldt Family Farms.
• Wellness brand Papa & Barkley introduced P&B Labs, a new wholesale business for solventless products.
• Tyson 2.0 is launching “Holy Ears” edibles with Evander Holyfield, whose ear Tyson famously nibbled.

Upcoming:

• DJ Dank’s Holiday Cannabis Cabaret will be Dec. 20 at Moe Greens Dispensary in SF.
• The Emerald Cup’s Harvest Ball is December 10 & 11 in Santa Rosa. Performances by E-40 and Channel Tres among many others.
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