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Welcome Note
Welcome back Gardeners!
What an insightful week since we last spoke. I attended CannaDataCon and had the opportunity to shoot the event as the photographer!! I loved every minute of it and getting to chat with many in the industry at such an intimate event. You can read all my musings down below.
I was recently having a conversation about working out while using cannabinoids and how many folks love the feeling of working out high and while I do love zoning out on a long run while high, I find that I tend to not perform quite as well even if it is significantly more fun. I prefer using minors to enhance my workout and it’s something I am going to be putting out some more content around. I am working on analyzing a few of the studies that have been done on the topic, I will mix in some of my own personal anecdotes, and put out some articles on this functional benefit and how as an industry we need to move away from “THC” being the leading feature of our products. THC is simply an ingredient. You don’t see Body Armor leading with “look at all the potassium, sodium, and magnesium in our products you should buy a bottle” no they lead with “superior hydration” and this needs to be how we move forward. Anyway, be on the look out for this as it’s something I am super passionate about and think can grow our industry.
I hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter
And as always, my email is open!
-Lars
Trying to grow my other networks to 11k+ like I did on Linkedin so please follow me on Bluesky, X, Facebook, Instagram, and of course Youtube, I would love to chat with you there. You also can always reach me by just hitting reply here.
Just a heads up, The Free Spirits Podcast is on break until February and then we will be regrouping for season 2.
I just launched a new newsletter that will be laid out similarly to this newsletter just focused on Speciality Coffee.
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/CzoUWOLHsPb
Any comments or questions? Leave comment on this post or shoot me an email. Would love to hear from you!
News Round Up
- GOP Florida Lawmaker Wonders If State’s Medical Marijuana Program Is Causing More Harm Than Good – A Florida Republican lawmaker has raised concerns about the state’s medical marijuana program, questioning whether it is leading to unintended negative consequences. The remarks were made during a legislative discussion, with further debate expected on potential regulatory changes.
- Missouri Lawmakers Approve Bills to Restrict Intoxicating Hemp Products, With an Exception for THC Beverages – Missouri lawmakers have advanced legislation aimed at restricting the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived products while making an exception for THC-infused beverages. The bills, now moving forward in the legislative process, seek to create clearer regulations around hemp-derived cannabinoids.
- Alabama Senator Introduces Bill to Ban Intoxicating Hemp Products – An Alabama senator has introduced a bill that would prohibit the sale of intoxicating hemp products across the state. The proposed legislation reflects ongoing legislative efforts to regulate the hemp industry amid growing concerns about the psychoactive effects of some hemp-derived products.
- Marijuana rescheduling and THC beverage expansion top cannabis agenda for 2025 – As 2025 begins, the cannabis industry has set its sights on key priorities: pushing for marijuana rescheduling and expanding the THC beverage market. Industry stakeholders are mobilizing to influence federal policy while capitalizing on the rapid growth of cannabis-infused beverages.
- Minnesota’s Cannabis Laws at a Crossroads as Lawmakers Debate Hemp Regulations – Minnesota is grappling with how to handle its cannabis and hemp regulations as state lawmakers weigh new restrictions on hemp-derived products, particularly those with intoxicating effects.
- What Makes the Cannabis Beverage Industry Unique – A deep dive into the factors that set the cannabis beverage industry apart from traditional alcohol and other sectors, including regulatory challenges, consumer education, and innovative formulation approaches.
- Can Cann Become the Red Bull of Cannabis? – The article explores whether Cann, a leading THC-infused beverage brand, can achieve the mainstream recognition and market dominance of iconic energy drink brands like Red Bull within the cannabis space.
- Delta Emerald Ventures Is Making Big Moves with Cannabis Data – Delta Emerald Ventures is leveraging data analytics to drive growth in the cannabis industry, using insights to help brands make smarter business decisions and navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
- Hemp Beverage Alliance Announces Launch of Hemp Beverage Expo – The Hemp Beverage Alliance has announced the Hemp Beverage Expo, set for July 9-11, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Registration will open soon at www.hempbeverageexpo.com.
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Inside CannaDataCon: Musings from South Beach
What makes this industry special and fun is also what makes it so difficult. Things change every single day. Regulations, brand entrants, and more are constantly changing. And we are at a super interesting point. I have been around for the last 76 weeks and the optimism and growth has been insane. We are seeing stigmas decrease (though still highly prevalent) and we are seeing so much mainstream acceptance (Bevnet, WSWA, and so many others). The industry itself is coalescing around shared challenges and opportunities. This was on full display last week at CannaDataCon in Miami, where Delta Emerald Ventures brought together leaders in cannabis, science, technology, and regulation for two days of intensive learning and collaboration.
The Power of In-Person Connections
As the event photographer, I found myself in a unique position to witness and participate in countless meaningful interactions. It was incredibly energizing and refreshing to finally meet the folks building this emerging industry after years of only communicating digitally.
The opportunity to connect with so many industry leaders in person was invaluable. Connecting with Chris Lackner of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, Lewie from Flyers, Lisa Hurwitz from Happi, Jason Dayton from Trail Magic, Phil McFarland from Wherehouse, Brandon Harshbarger from Cheech & Chong, Jon Halper from Top 10 Liquors, Ben Larson from Vertosa, Eric Becker of Louie Louie, Steven Brown, Logan Fleischmann, and Arie from Boisson, and I know I forgot so many others was inspiring! Every single conversation reinforced the collaborative spirit of this industry. These conversations, not just with me, but between everyone at the event are the kind of substantive exchanges that only happen when passionate people gather in an intimate setting. Special thanks goes to Ian Dominguez for hosting such an incredible event and allowing me to document these meaningful moments through photography.
One particularly meaningful interaction was meeting Jake Bullock, founder of Cann. Having recently learned I’m one of their top 10 affiliates, it felt surreal meeting the creator of the first THC beverage I ever tried. These kinds of full-circle moments highlighted how far both the industry and my own journey within it have come.
Innovation and Education Collide
The conference agenda reflected the industry’s maturation, with panels covering everything from distribution strategies to regulatory challenges. The DTC session, featuring Aaron Nosbisch from Brēz and Kyle Cooke from Flowerboy, particularly stood out for its forward-thinking approach to consumer engagement despite regulatory hurdles.
Throughout the various sessions, I kept coming back to the same thought, while challenges remain, particularly around varying state regulations and uncertain federal policy, the industry’s collective expertise and determination to overcome these obstacles was palpable. The future is definitely bright. Though it will not be without challenges and surely additional setbacks.
The Future Takes Shape
The evening reception, sponsored by Vertosa, was I believe my first event where everyone was consuming cannabevs and it was just normal. I don’t live in an area where on-premise is really a thing yet. I consume with portable options when I am out and about but being surrounded by others also enjoying these products was truly special for me. Sampling from brands like Louie Louie (their new Cherry Hibiscus flavor was a standout), Flyers, Houseplant, Wunder, Trail Magic, Keef, and Uncle Arnie’s was amazing. There are so many incredible brands out there right now. Each brand brought something unique to the table.
A Personal Reflection
What struck me most about CannaDataCon was the shared sense of purpose among attendees. This is very much still the 1st inning for this industry and we are still writing the playbook. However, being surrounded by others who are equally committed to building something meaningful was incredibly inspiring.
The intimate nature of the event, so different from larger industry conferences I have attended, created an environment where everyone was accessible and eager to share insights. It felt less like a traditional conference and more like a gathering of friends working together to solve common challenges and celebrate shared successes.
Looking Ahead
2025 has just begun and surely we will see some massive changes before the year is over. What is very clear though is that this industry is positioned for significant growth.
The event served as both a milestone marker for how far we’ve come and a launching pad for where we’re headed. In an industry moving as quickly as ours, these opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate in person are invaluable. As I packed up my camera gear on the final day, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic about the future of Cannabis Beverages, not just because of the market opportunity, but because of the incredible community of people working to realize it.
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