What is the cannabis community grateful for this Thanksgiving?

By Andrew Ward

Cannabis operators tell Benzinga that there is a lot to be thanked for when the United States celebrates Thanksgiving this year.

Dozens of sources cited a number of topics for which they are grateful, including the plant’s eroding stigma, growing sectors and government marketplaces, and technology advancement. Some raised issues that included the growth of the industry, the advancement of legislation and its community.

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Grateful for industry growth, shrinking stigmata

Matt Hawkins, managing partner of Entourage Effect Capital and interim CEO of Harborside Inc., said he was grateful to see the industry evolve into a demanding, professional area that he would like to scale.

According to Marijuana Business Daily, US sales are expected to reach $ 26 billion in 2021.

“This is a consistent growth phase, especially when you consider how private investment firms like Entourage can get attractive deals ahead of institutional investors – which is virtually unknown in mainstream sectors,” said Hawkins.

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several noted that the growth of laws and consumers is far more impressive. They attribute increasing public cannabis use as a critical component.

“As COVID continues to be a challenge, more people are finding cannabis to be a safe and effective option for treating all of the anxiety and depression that come with fighting a pandemic,” said Jeff Siegel, founder of Green Chip Stocks.

Joe Caltabiano, CEO of Choice Consolidation Corp., is also grateful that the stigma erodes as access to the works increases.

“Perhaps even better, we’re seeing fewer people being prosecuted for using cannabis, and we’re making real strides in addressing some of the many injustices that emerged during the war on drugs,” added Caltabiano.

Thank you for making a difference in the communities

Various educators and operators thanked them for participating in the public relations and educational efforts.

Nick Kovacevich, CEO of Greenlane Holdings Inc., said: “I am grateful to work in an industry that is good for society.” He pointed out a number of issues, including job creation, tax generation, access to patients, and crime reduction and addressing some of the injustices resulting from the war on drugs.

RELATED: US cannabis industry ‘thriving’ despite (or because of?) The general economic downturn

A website from KushCo, a Greenlane company founded by Kovacevich, states that it is participating in criminal law reform efforts, the pandemic, one paid day off for election day, and two extra days off for philanthropic activities.

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Dr. Alicia Reid, Faculty Director and Chair of the Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Department at Medgar Evers College in New York City, is proud that her school offered its first introductory cannabis course last August.

Reid said the cannabis education initiative at Medgar Evers, a predominantly black student population, “is grateful for the opportunity to educate and intervene on behalf of a population largely excluded from meaningful participation in this emerging industry.”

The course is said to be the first of several courses the college is introducing over time.

Grateful for legislative progress

Numerous cannabis operators cited state-level legislative movements and potential federal-level activity as reasons they are grateful this year.

Cannabis legislation was introduced in 34 states in 2021 and passed in 15 on November 19.

Kameron Norwood, co-founder of Half Day CBD, is grateful for the passage of the SAFE Banking Act in September 2021.

RELATED: How Supply Chain Issues Have Affected the Cannabis Industry

“This is a huge step forward in removing barriers to upsetting the cannabis industry, protecting business owners and consumers, and generally legitimizing the industry,” said Norwood, adding that he hoped the momentum for the legislation and the erosion of stigma continues.

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Morgan Paxhia, managing director of Poseidon Investment Management, said she was grateful for the people leading the legislative indictment.

“We are grateful for the teams that are looking at the horizon and working towards a much bigger result,” she said.

Numerous sources thanked their fellow human beings.

David Farris, vice president of sales and marketing at Planet 13 Holdings Inc., thanked the Las Vegas community.

“Every year we are moved by the generosity of our customers, sponsored vendors and employees,” he said, adding that Planet 13 works with local nonprofits to donate food and toys to the community during the season.

The operators thanked the employees who survived the pandemic.

Todd Green, director of investor relations at Jushi Holdings Inc., said staff kept Jushi’s own Beyond and Hello locations functional and safe during the pandemic.

“They have grown to take the opportunity to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and customers, to foster a supportive and positive environment, and also to educate people about the best products to meet their needs,” said Green.

Jim Higdon, co-founder of Cornbread HemP. in Kentucky, thanked the state’s organic hemp growers despite being one of 14 states with no legal market for medicinal cannabis.

“Fortunately, Kentucky’s agricultural climate is so favorable to cannabis cultivation that our farmers have faced the challenges of growing exceptional hemp flowers in a state devoid of legal marijuana,” said Hidgon.

With plenty of reason to be grateful, the sources seemed optimistic about further progress through 2021 and into the new year.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.