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Special 4/20 Edition

In honor of 4/20, we’re giving you a special edition of Weeding the News. This issue features more industry insights, a wider recap of the news –including expanded coverage of the cannabis scene in Florida and California – a more expansive event listing, and we’ve added a few jobs opportunities to the mix.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the origins of 4/20, here’s a quick explanation of its most likely genesis. In 1971, five students from San Rafael High School would meet at 4:20 p.m. to get high. This exact time was chosen because most school extracurriculars had ended by then. According to one member of the group, Dave Reddix, his work with the band The Grateful Dead helped popularize the iconic number that would forever be associated with cannabis.

What’s on the Docket

The Trump administration's tariffs could drive up pre-roll prices (among other issues). Florida veterans are one step closer to getting free medical marijuana cards. Hawaii moves to help expunge cannabis-related convictions. Mississippi opens a cannabis research center. Sarah Huckabee Sanders vetoed an Arkansas bill that could have opened the window to drive-thrus at its dispensaries. An Alabama woman is thrown in the big house after allegedly using drones to drop off cannabis at a maximum-security prison, and a police evidence trailer is missing 600 lbs. of cannabis. We provide some tax tips (including what you can’t write off).

We also hear from three industry insiders, including a German doctor, a director of operations, and the principal owner of a design service for intellectual property professionals.

Cannabis in Los Angeles and Beyond

The Los Angeles DCR has revamped its 2025 Social Equity eligibility rules, expanding access to exclusive cannabis licenses. Updated income and conviction criteria aim to open more doors for aspiring equity applicants in the city’s legal market. For more information, visit the DCR website.

Assemblymember Matt Haney's AB 564 bill aims to halt the looming cannabis tax hike (25%) coming to California in July. Haney argues the hike would devastate small businesses and bolster the illicit market. For more on how this could affect cannabis taxation, head over to KRCR TV News.

Employees of STIIIZY, a “premium cannabis company,” voted to ratify a watershed three-year contract, which includes higher starting wages, expanded paid sick leave, and other benefits for about 500 workers across California. Read more on Cannabis Business Times.

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The recently imposed tariffs could drive up the price of pre-rolls while the country’s infrastructure struggles with relocating manufacturing to America from countries like Indonesia and India. Logistics companies are also set to feel the pressure. Read more on MjBizDaily.

THC-infused beverage companies are recruiting 2,000 people for a study on consuming cannabis seltzers over alcoholic beverages. Read more on Marijuana Moment.

Michigan cannabis sales rebounded in March, pulling in nearly $280 million in sales, an increase of almost 15% from February. However, year-over-year sales remain down. Read more on the Green Market Report.

U.S. legal cannabis sales hit $2.15 billion in March 2025, pushing Q1 totals past $6.18 billion. This sustained growth underscores the industry's expanding footprint and presents significant implications for cannabis accounting professionals. Read more on The Marijuana Herald.

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The Florida Senate has voted unanimously to approve a bill, SB 438, banning delta-8 THC products and severely restricting delta-9 in hemp-derived products. Read more on Ganjapreneur.

However, a Florida House panel has voted unanimously (16-0) to approve a bill that would provide free medical marijuana cards to veterans. Read more on The Marijuana Herald.

Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission has approved a new set of rules that will inform the state’s cannabis market. Beginning May 1st, the state will be closer to issuing licenses for two dozen dispensaries. Rules will apply to packaging and labeling requirements, how licenses will be given, among other regulations. Read more on Cannabis Business Times.

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Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, has signed a bill to help expedite the expungement process of past cannabis-related offenses. Read more on Marijuana Moment.

Following in Michigan’s footsteps, the Illinois Senate has passed a bill stating police cannot stop, detain, or search vehicles based only on the smell of cannabis. Read more on Wand News.

The University of Mississippi is establishing a Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR), intended to aid scientists nationwide in overcoming scientific and regulatory barriers. The program will be funded by a grant from the NIH. Read more on The Marijuana Herald.

Arkansas briefly dangled the chance of drive-thru windows at its dispensaries until Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders vetoed the bill. Read more on KATV.

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Abroad

New research from the Rand Corporation suggests that the U.K.’s drug policies may be leading to more violence than they’re actually preventing. Read more on Leafie.

Chilean lawmakers have proposed legislation that would legalize the consumption and cultivation of cannabis for those aged 18 and up. Read more on The Marijuana Herald.

New data suggests that the majority of Canadians see cannabis as a crucial component of the country’s economic future. Further, they want the government to do more to help the industry. Read more on Business Wire.

Also of note in our neighbor to the north, Canadian cannabis and liquor company SNDL is now listing its stocks on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). Read more on MJBizDaily.

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Tax Tips: Where's my refund?

Track Your Tax Refund Status — Federal & California

Because cash flow matters, even after tax season.

Now that tax season is behind us, it's time to track your refund. Whether you’re a CEO, founder, or CFO, timely cash flow still counts.

What you’ll need:

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Filing status
• Exact refund amount
• Additional for State
• Zip Code
• Street number from your address

Timeframes:

• Fed: E-filed returns: Updates in 24–72 hours; Paper returns: May take 4+ weeks
• State: E-filed: Typically within 3 weeks; Paper-filed: Up to 3 months

Federal Refund (IRS)

Check your status using the official IRS tool

California Refund (FTB)
Track your refund here.

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Pro Tip

Bookmark these tools for quick access. If your refund is delayed beyond 21 days (federal) or 30 days (California), reach out—we can help.

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Upcoming Events

More Upcoming Events – National

Events Abroad

More Events Abroad

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The Situation Report

California officials say they have seized a total of $316 million in unlicensed cannabis in the first quarter of 2025. Read more on MjBizDaily.

In Colorado, 600 pounds of cannabis have been stolen from a “secured” evidence trailer in Arapahoe County. Read more on Ganjapreneur.

A dispensary in North Hollywood was a victim of a smash-and-grab burglary. Read more on KTLA5.

A Georgia woman is being accused of putting a dog collar around a toddler and making him smoke a joint. Read more on Hawaii News Now.

In Missouri, a cannabis deal that went south resulted in a shooting. The alleged perpetrator was later charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Read more on KSHB.

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In Alabama, a woman has been accused of twice using a drone to deliver 490 grams of cannabis to Holman Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison. After the first drone crashed, the woman allegedly used another one to deliver 250 more grams of cannabis to the prison. Read more on AL.com.

Abroad

Police in the U.K. have frozen bank accounts with over $1 million after discovering a network of 250 barbershops and other businesses that are allegedly connected to cannabis farms and money laundering. Police believe there was also evidence of modern slavery. Read more on The Guardian.

Industry Insight: High Standards for High-Quality Cannabis

Elliot Friedman, Principal of KYND, LLC

“The path to high-quality cannabis is not synthesized in a lab or grown without consideration to overall plant health, but rather cultivated in living soil and water. Regenerative agriculture and aquaculture focus on managing vibrant ecosystems that nourish plants, animals, and the rest of the planet, yielding a complex spectrum of therapeutic synergistic compounds often diminished by typical commercial farming and manufacturing methods due to modified genetics, toxins, and heavy post-processing.

“Since current federal prohibition blocks USDA Organic certification for cannabis, our advocacy must demand state-level standards and transparency that mirror this rigor—think mandatory contaminant testing and verified cultivation practices. Certifications like Regenerative Organic Certified™ already offer a roadmap for this holistic approach. While home cultivation is already legal in over 20 states and DC, ensuring this right nationally remains crucial for empowering patients and the general public to control their medicine's quality using trusted methods. Legislative efforts like Florida's proposed SB 546 underscore the current reality: until the market consistently offers safe, whole-plant products with the transparency that rigorous certifications may provide, home cultivation remains essential to human safety.”

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Industry Insight: Doctor's Orders

Dr. medic Vlad Gavril, doctor at Telecan

“Medical cannabis wholesalers or producers, in general, need to start listening to doctors and other professionals working with cannabinoids, rather than relying on platforms like Reddit or Telegram for market insight. Our primary goal should be to help patients suffering from debilitating illnesses. As a doctor, I am concerned about producers introducing two or more new cultivars of flowers each week. Instead, I advocate for products that specifically aim to ameliorate patients’ symptoms, with a particular emphasis on whole plant extracts rather than single synthetic substances.

“It is essential to encourage collaboration between medical professionals and producers to develop specialized products tailored to specific patient needs. Evidence-based practices and open communication can significantly improve therapeutic outcomes in cannabinoid treatment. Let’s work together to elevate the standards of care and focus on effective treatments that genuinely benefit patients.

“Cannabis has the power to enhance everyday life in ways both subtle and profound. For some, it’s the moment of clarity that comes during a walk after a few puffs of a balanced hybrid. For others, it’s the ability to sleep through the night without interruption, or to be more present during time with loved ones. It can help elevate a weekend hike, bring ease to a quiet evening at home, or offer a spark of creativity in the middle of a busy day. Beyond its recreational appeal, cannabis holds immense medical potential it helps patients manage chronic pain, reduce inflammation, stimulate appetite during chemotherapy, and support mental health.”

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Industry Insight: Cannabis Pricing

Lindsay Suffety, Director of Operations at Butter Cannabis Co.

“With its wide range of benefits, cannabis should be affordable and accessible to everyone. But the reality is, the current pricing structure is threatening the survival of the very companies working hard to grow, produce, and distribute high-quality cannabis. Wholesale prices have plummeted, retail prices continue to race to the bottom, and the pressure to offer steep discounts has become the norm. It’s not sustainable, and it's pushing many small and mid-sized businesses to the brink.

“As an industry, we’ve trained consumers to shop for the highest THC at the lowest price, rather than educating them on what makes a truly good product. A better experience doesn’t come from potency alone; it comes from a full-spectrum cannabinoid profile, rich with terpenes and minor cannabinoids that work together to create an effect far greater than THC by itself. We need to reframe the conversation around quality, not just cost and numbers on a label. The future of cannabis depends on a more educated consumer base and a more balanced marketplace, one that values craft, care, and long-term sustainability.”

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Jobs

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Job Title: Account Executive
Location: East St. Louis, IL
Salary: $75,000–$100,000/year

A leading cannabis company is seeking an account executive to drive sales and build client relationships in East St. Louis.

Requirements:

• 2+ years of outside sales experience
• Bachelor's degree (business or related field)

Ideal candidates will have cannabis industry experience and a background in alcohol, wine, and spirits sales, as well as pharmaceutical sales. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

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Job Title: Accountant
Location: Raleigh, NC (Remote)
Salary: $90,000–$100,000/year
A growing hemp-derived wellness product company is hiring an accountant to manage financial operations and ensure compliance in Raleigh. Candidates should have accounting experience.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in accounting (or a related field) and have some experience in the cannabis, hemp, or wellness industry.

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