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6 Eco-Friendly Cannabis Brands Making a Difference in New York

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Can Little Cannabis Help Big Tobacco

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Tobacco has long been an economic giant…but is cannabis upending the system?

From the Marlboro Man to Virginia Slims, smoking a cigarette has been iconic.  Movie stars, Santa Clause and more encouraged their favorite brands.  Soldiers in war received complimentary cigarettes as part of their rations. But when Fred Levine won the famous tobacco lawsuit, the industry reign as a top dog rapidly started to diminish. But can little cannabis help big tobacco? Marijuana has recently surpassed tobacco in popularity among Americans. Currently, 16% of adults report smoking marijuana, compared to only 11% who smoke cigarettes. The power tobacco industry could expand but increase their stake in cannabis.

In the United States and Canada, cigarette consumption peaked in 1965 at a staggering 4,259 cigarettes per capita annually. During this period, about 50% of men and 33% of women smoked regularly. The tobacco industry’s influence extended far beyond sales, shaping culture, advertising, and even medical opinions. “Big Tobacco” includes Philip Morris (now Altria), R.J. Reynolds, British American Tobacco, and Imperial Tobacco were and are key international corporations and used to be big players on the stock market.

A key concern is the change in demographics. Nearly a third of respondents under 35 say they smoke marijuana compared to 8% of young Americans smoke cigarettes at least once a week. A drastic trend which will be hard to change.  Gen Z has always drifted away from alcohol and started the California sober movement where they only consume marijuana and don’t drink.  The alcohol industry has a stake with over $12 billion invested.

While not at the same level, Big Tobacco seems a future in the plant. Altria Group, the parent company of Philip Morris USA, made one of the largest investments by acquiring a 45% stake in Canadian cannabis company Cronos Group for $1.8 billion. British American Tobacco (BAT) has also been actively investing in cannabis. Imperial and Phillip Morris have shown interest but have yet to make a major play.

Big Tobacco has the clout, cash and cleverness to take marijuana to the next level in not only the US but around the globe. They can make cannabis an international juggernaut not only recreationally, but medically.



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11 Women-Owned Cannabis Brands in New York

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Women’s representation is transforming the cannabis industry, and New York is leading the way with a range of women-led brands. As of May 2024, 42% of recent social and economic equity cannabis businesses licensed by the state’s Office Cannabis Management are women-owned. These entrepreneurs are reshaping the industry, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that elevate the industry to new heights. From artisanal edibles to pet products, these brands highlight the importance of women’s leadership in driving quality, sustainability, and community impact. Explore how these influential women are setting new standards: 

https://theemeraldmagazine.com/11-women-owned-cannabis-brands-in-new-york/?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=MAG%20October%2016%202024&utm_medium=email



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Positive Signs For NY Legal Marijuana

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The cannabis industry is on edge as it waits to see how the federal government acts.  On one side is the slow moving Biden/Harris administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) slow walking rescheduling. The DEA is having to wade through overwhelming positive support for fellow agencies and the general public. On the other side, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has allowed groups from his party to protest and try to stop the process and issuing statements on the dangers of marijuana. Coupled with a mess in California and a significant drop in investment in the industry as everyone waits the outcome, things are tough. But there are positive signs for NY legal marijuana.

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

New York was one track to be the biggest single market perhaps in the word in the when they approved recreational marijuana. But a last minute major overhaul of the process a few weeks before it rolled out ended in a massive chaos. January 2023 launch the first legal store, but at year end there were roughly 25 legal dispensaries and ultimately 2,800 illicit ones in the Empire State. While consumers may or may not have known or cared about the legality of where they shopped, they should. The products in the stores are unregulated, which is a strong health issue as ingredients and dosage could vary significantly.

Summer Lifestyle Photos 2023
Wana Brands is the largest gummy company in the industry. They are in 20 states, Canada and Puerto Rico and are backed by Canopy and the alcohol giant Constellation Brands. Highly respected, they are the most mainstream major product company in the industry. Entering the New York Market, is a sign things are starting to normalize.  NY has closed over 800 illicit stores and is working toward 200 legal ones.

Joe Hodas, President of Wana shared “Wana’s entry in the New York market has been a move that’s been in the works for quite some time. We’ve already established a strong presence in over 20 stores, including The Travel Agency and Housing Works. Orders are rolling in and more locations will be coming online soon. While our initial focus is on the New York City area, we’re working on expansion into upstate as well. We believe New York will be one of the most important states on the map for us and we are excited to get more products into the hands of New Yorkers and all those who visit from around the world.”

When asked about why enter the NY market now, Hodas responded.

“Entering the New York market for us was all about timing. In the past, the prevalence of illicit stores in the city made it a challenging environment for a brand like ours. But during my recent visits, I noticed a shift—there’s now a more robust network of regulated, legal stores. We felt it was finally the right moment for Wana Brands to bring our products to New Yorkers. We couldn’t have made this move without our partner, urbanXtracts. Their state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities and shared commitment to quality have made this launch possible and we’re excited to see what the future will bring.”

RELATED: This Natural Cannabinoid Makes You Feel Happy

“The Travel Agency is thrilled to partner with Wana in this vibrant New York cannabis market, that we’ve helped grow since its launch. Wana is also one of this industry’s pioneers, building their business through consistent products and the exploration of new formats and flavors. We look forward to collaborating with Wana in providing New Yorkers with safe, high-quality cannabis experience.” stated Paul Yau, The Travel Agency, Co-Founder and CEO. One of the larger, legal dispensary brand in NYC.



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