In honour of International Women’s Day, the cannabis industry must take a good long look at how it will not only include and support women, but also raise them up. This will require forward thinking folks, and some fierceness on all of our parts.

There are initiatives from within the sector, but also significantly outside of the industry, that women would be well-advised to tap into.  The recent announcement by the Canadian and American federal governments of the creation of a Canada−United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders—a joint initiative meant to help businesses owned by women as a way to contribute to economic growth, competitiveness and the integration of the two economies—is a signal of what is to come for all women.

The Los Angeles-based technology company LoudCloud launched its app this past January. It’s the answer to simplicity when it comes to owning or managing a cannabis collective.

After completing paperwork once and uploading information to LoudCloud, medical marijuana patients can purchase products from their retailer of choice and “avoid the 15-minute process associated with purchasing cannabis,” reveals the startup’s co-founder Robert “Rob” Gillett, who came up with the idea a year ago.

While the U.S. continues to squabble state-by-state over medical and adult use legalization, over the past year cannabis has quietly grown into a truly international industry.

“It is history in the making for an Israeli company to bring the tidings to the citizens of New Mexico.”

An Israeli and New Mexican company have joined forces to launch the first-ever pharmaceutical cannabis production lab in the United States.

The Lod-based Panaxia Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Ultra Health have opened a facility in Bernalillo, New Mexico, that will manufacture smokeless, accurately dosed cannabis medication in a variety of delivery methods, the companies announced this week in a joint statement.

It's like a cup of coffee, but marijuana.

When Jeffrey Zucker needs to get a lot done at work, he eats half a weed gummy. Far from putting him at risk of a Maureen Dowd-level stupor, the 5-milligram dose of THC he gets gives him just a slight buzz that makes him more focused and creative, he says. 

Producer of cannabis-infused edibles dominates Colorado market, builds on brand platform for national expansion

As the company prepares for growth into new markets, Wana Brands--Colorado’s No. 1 infused gummie manufacturer--has expanded its ranks with the addition of marketing expert, consumer analyst and award-winning fine artist Julia Bright as Brand Manager. Wana Brands co-owner Nancy Whiteman made the announcement. Bright is based out of Wana Brands’ Boulder headquarters and reports directly to Whiteman.

It’s a movement charging ahead — for now.

Legalizing recreational marijuana is currently a priority in more than a dozen states as polls show overwhelming support and lawmakers see a way to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue. So far, eight states have legalized recreational cannabis.

But in recent weeks, the Trump administration has alarmed some pot supporters by warning states that have legalized recreational marijuana — California, Colorado and Oregon, among them — that federal law enforcement agents could soon come after them.

It’s a terrifying and exciting time to be running a tech startup with a business model that’s entirely dependent on the state’s legal marijuana industry.

California voters in November approved recreational use of marijuana, and on-demand cannabis delivery company Eaze expects that by expanding into that market, it can grow its customer base to more than five times its current size. At the same time, the burgeoning industry faces potential challenges from the new Republican administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has spoken out against legalization in the past.

Coffee and cigarettes are the classic duo. But in 2017, in many parts of the world, smoking a joint and drinking a cup of joe is seen as a healthier combo. But if you want to streamline your daily intake, there’s a new, bottled cold-brewed blend that mixes artisanal java and marijuana for fancy caffeination and a smoke-free high.

It could have once been a stretch of the imagination of Queensland Bauxite shareholders to think that they could be treated to crop updates from the Northern NSW hippie paradise of Nimbin.

But the veteran gold fossicker and Queensland Bauxite executive chairman Pnina "Diamond Rose" Feldman has taken to a business founded by a former Nimbin café owner.

"Excellent market positioning for the anticipated rapid economic growth in the medical cannabis sector and hemp seed food industry in Australia and globally," trumpeted an ASX announcement by Diamond Rose last week, where she disclosed Queensland Bauxite would buy 55 per cent of the Nimbin-domiciled Medical Cannabis Limited (MCL).