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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 excited to write more about!

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.

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 follows growing concerns about unregulated hemp-derived THC products and their accessibility to consumers.

• Maine Working Group Recommends Setting Age Limit for Hemp-Derived THC Products - A state working group in Maine has recommended establishing a minimum age for purchasing hemp-derived THC products. The recommendation aims to address regulatory gaps and ensure age-restricted access to intoxicating hemp items.

• Cannabis Drinks Stir Legal Debate as Total Wine & More Stocks THC-Infused Beverages in Arizona - Total Wine & More’s decision to stock THC-infused beverages in Arizona has sparked legal questions about the sale of cannabis beverages in retail settings. The move highlights ongoing regulatory uncertainty surrounding the distribution of THC drinks.

• The Winners and Losers of a 25¢ Aluminum Tax - A proposed 25-cent tax on aluminum beverage cans is expected to impact cannabis drink manufacturers, with potential cost increases for producers and price hikes for consumers. The analysis highlights how the tax could reshape the THC beverage market.

• 2025 U.S. Hemp Roundtable Officer Announcement - The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has announced its new officers for 2025, featuring industry leaders focused on advancing hemp policy and business growth. The organization plays a key role in advocating for federal and state-level hemp regulations.

• THC/CBD-Infused Beverage Brand Brez Delivers via DoorDash - Brez, a THC/CBD-infused beverage brand, has partnered with DoorDash for direct delivery to consumers. The move expands accessibility for cannabis drinks and signals growing mainstream adoption of THC-infused beverages.

• 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. Partnering with Jage Media, the event will be a B2B trade show and conference focused on expanding distribution, securing investment, and fostering industry collaboration. 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.

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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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