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Demand for high-quality substrates is strong worldwide

Published

6 hours ago

November 2, 2025

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Ziegler Erden has opened a new production site in Latvia

German soil and substrate producer Ziegler Erden has officially opened a new production facility for professional horticultural substrates in Talsi, Latvia. The family company invested around 5 million euros in its subsidiary ZIBU Ventspils SIA. The installation was completed in just under five months and is now fully operational.

“The demand for high-quality substrates is high worldwide, as more and more countries plan to grow healthy food inland. A good peat-based substrate is the foundation of this and remains an essential raw material for global food security,” says Managing Director Matthias Ziegler.

Gregor Ziegler GmbH, headquartered in Stein near Plößberg (Upper Palatinate, Germany) is an internationally active second generation family business. The decision to invest in Latvia was due to the increase in demand for professional gardening substrates and the decrease in demand for peat in the hobby sector as a raw material. “With this step, we have set the path to continue marketing our Latvian peat resources in the best possible way,” added Matthias.

Weak peat crop
Although this year’s peat harvest has been historically weak due to poor weather conditions, the company remains positive about the overall evolution of the market. As one of Germany’s largest independent soil manufacturers, Ziegler is considered a pioneer in peat-free substrates, a valuable strength in difficult years. “We have decades of experience in developing and producing low-peat substrates at our German site. Especially this year, this expertise allows us to incorporate peat alternatives to compensate for limited peat availability,” says Matthias.

Ziegler Erden has been active in Latvia for more than 20 years and currently employs around 60 people, managing around 1,000 hectares of peatland and substrate production areas. Ninety-nine percent of products manufactured in Latvia are exported worldwide.

Sales are mainly handled through distributors, either under their own label or under Ziegler’s PLANTOP brand. “We want to focus completely on production and invest all our know-how to achieve the highest quality and productivity,” explains Matthias.

The company produces substrates with a wide range of formulations tailored to the needs of the client. Peat is screened into various fractions (eg 0-5mm, 0-10mm, 10-30mm or 20-40mm) and compressed into large bales for export to customers around the world. The company has also invested in a hood extension system to provide weatherproof protection to its substrates. Container sizes from 20 to 250 liters are filled on two fully automated packaging lines. Label-specific printing is standard.

Related Topics:Demand highquality strong substrates worldwide

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Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office Is Receiving Complaints About Anti-Marijuana Initiative Petitioners’ Tactics

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Cannabis News

Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office Is Receiving Complaints About Anti-Marijuana Initiative Petitioners’ Tactics

Published

6 hours ago

November 2, 2025

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The Massachusetts attorney general’s office has confirmed that it is receiving complaints from the public about applicants for a 2026 ballot initiative aimed at rolling back the state’s marijuana legalization law, with a growing number of people alleging that signature gatherers are selling misleading information about the proposal.

A staffer in Massachusetts Attorney General (D) Andrea Campbell’s office told Marijuana Moment on Friday that while they can confirm they have received those complaints, they are not at liberty to discuss whether the matter is actively being investigated.

The office “has received complaints about this matter, but we cannot confirm, deny or comment on any investigation,” they said.

“Every application has a summary of the Attorney General’s bill printed at the top,” the staffer said. “We strongly encourage voters to read the summary of any bill carefully before deciding whether to sign it.”

Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) David O’Brien on Friday openly accused the campaign behind the repeal initiative, the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, of hiring paid petitioners to use “trickery tactics” to add signatures.

“These out-of-state groups are collecting signatures from state to state and it’s clear that they’re having trouble here in Massachusetts finding people who want to repeal our very effective cannabis laws and kill our successful cannabis industry,” O’Brien said. “This is voter fraud that people should report to their town hall.”

The Marihuana Moment campaign was reached for comment, but a representative was not immediately available.

According to the MCBA, reports of deceptive signature-gathering tactics are widespread, with paid petitioners using fake letters on other ballot measures, such as affordable housing and same-day voter registration.

A Reddit post earlier this week appeared to show such tactics, with two petitioners sitting at a table with signs about housing and voter registration, but the poster said they were collecting signatures for a marijuana repeal initiative.

Bait and switch signature request
according tou/yanki2del in the yearmassachusetts

MCBA said in a press release that “other fraudulent messages reported by voters claimed the ballot question would strengthen fentanyl testing requirements for marijuana and expand buffer zones between dispensaries and schools.”

Voters in Massachusetts have sounded the alarm about the state of social media, sharing their experiences with applicants who appear to be misrepresenting marijuana initiatives, in some cases as a way to protect young people from being criminalized for possessing cannabis.

“Just wanted to give a heads up to *anyone* interested in the legal status of cannabis in Massachusetts. While shopping this morning I was presented with a ‘legislation to protect minors from arrest with 2oz of cannabis or less’ signature form,” a post on Reddit last week. he says. “I refused to sign after reading the first line that stated that the current laws on cannabis would be repealed.”

Until then, the Prosecutor’s Office has stressed the importance of reading its summary, which should go at the top of the signature form, before signing any request. Chief Prosecutor cleared the signature collection campaign, with a summary of the petition, last month.

Another Reddit post shared on Wednesday was by a user he said “They joined a couple of interns at the grocery store who were gathering signatures for a ballot initiative to end the sale of recreational marijuana,” and “people misrepresenting what the ballot question really is when asking for signatures.”

Another post describes the user’s experience with a petition that said the initiative was “to make sure kids didn’t go to jail for minor marijuana offenses.”

“The big sign behind it read DARE to keep kids off drugs. When I read it, it was clearly a petition to recriminalize marijuana. Be careful and know what you’re signing!” they he said.

There are numerous responses to the posts, with others telling similar stories and sharing tips on how to report illegal election activity.

“Voters heading to the polls on Election Day next Tuesday, November 4th should expect signature gatherers to be at polling places across the state,” said Meg Sanders, CEO of Canna Provisions. “Know what you’re signing! Take your time and read the application language. If the collector doesn’t say what it says, don’t sign.”

The marijuana repeal campaign, for its part, said as much this month They are “on the way” to get enough signatures to put the initiative on the ballot. They are working to send 100,000 signatures by December 3rd.

When the Attorney General’s Office completed its review of 50 proposed ballot measures for 2026, it certified two versions of the proposed recriminalization campaign.

Both would eliminate the state’s adult commercial use market, maintain patient access under the medical cannabis program and continue to allow legal possession of an ounce of recreational marijuana. “Version A” contains language that would also limit THC content for medical marijuana, while “Version B” omits that policy.

The campaign continues this latest initiative without a cap.

Under the initiative, called the “Restoration of Sensible Marijuana Policy Act,” adults over the age of 21 can still possess up to one ounce of cannabis, of which only five grams can be the product of concentrated marijuana.

Possession of more than one ounce but less than two ounces would effectively be decriminalized, with violators facing a $100 fine. Adults can also continue to gift cannabis to each other without payment.

But provisions of the state’s voter-approved marijuana law that allow commercial cannabis sellers and adults to access regulated products would be repealed under the proposal.

The right of adults to cultivate cannabis at home would also be repealed.

Meanwhile, the head of Massachusetts’ marijuana regulatory agency recently suggested measures to effectively recriminalize the sale of recreational cannabis. dangerous tax revenues being used to support substance abuse treatment efforts and other public programs.

If enough signatures are validated from the initial submissions, the proposal will go before the legislature, and lawmakers will have until May 6 to pass the law or propose a replacement. If they don’t, organizers will need to collect an additional 12,429 valid voter signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

Whether the cannabis measures make the cut remains to be seen. Voters approved legalization on the 2016 ballot, and sales began two years later. And in the last decade the market has evolved and expanded. In August, Massachusetts officials reported more than $8 billion in adult marijuana sales.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Regulators are also working to finalize the rules allow a new type of lounge license to consume cannabisthey hope to finish by October.

Separately, in May the CCC launched an online platform helping people find work, on-the-job training and networking opportunities in the state’s legal cannabis industry.

The House Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy approved the bills in August protect employment for marijuana users and expand the state’s medical cannabis programin part by adding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid use disorder to the list of qualifying conditions.

State legislators have also been pondering imposing stricter restrictions on intoxicating hemp-derived products and a plan allowing individual entities to control a greater number of cannabis establishments.

Also in Massachusetts Legislators working on state budgets butted heads with CCC officialswho said critical technology improvements can’t be made without more money from the legislature.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts lawmakers have just passed a bill establishing a pilot program for the regulated therapeutic use of psychedelics. And two committees have held hearings to discuss additional measures related to psilocybin.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Cannabis News

StickIt releases new statement to clarify intentions of LoI

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2025

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StickIt Technologies has released a statement to clarify the October 16, 2025 news release regarding the binding letter of intent with Capitalink.

The LOI is dated October 12, 2025 and was signed on October 15, 2025. As previously announced on October 16, 2025, Capitalink will acquire all rights to amounts owed to Mr. Eli Ben Harosh and Mr. Asher Holzer (Directors of the Company), totaling $380.0000. According to the Company’s interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2025, this amount as of June 30, 2025 was $617,000. This amount is expected to be updated in the Company’s interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. Capitalink and its shareholders are related to the Company.

StickIt wishes to further clarify that it intends to complete a post-merger private placement of units of not less than $700,000 and not more than $1,050,000 (the “Units”) at $0.05 per Unit, each such unit consisting of one (1) common share and one (1) common share for each three-year warrant period (each purchase period of a 3-year warrant). date of issuance, paid $0.05 per additional common share of the Company.

Even if the operations foreseen by the LOI will allow the new shareholders to hold more than 50% of the voting securities of the Company, it is not expected that there will be a change of control of the Company. The transactions contemplated by the LOI are not expected to result in a Fundamental Change (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) at the discretion of the CSE.

For more information:
StickIt Technologies
(email protected)
stickit-labs.com

Cannabis News

Marijuana Consumers Are More Likely To Shop At Target Following Decision To Sell Cannabis-Infused Drinks, Poll Shows

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2025

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Marijuana users are encouraged Target’s decision to begin selling THC drinks at select locations—and a majority say the marketing move makes them more likely to shop in the retail giant’s stores—according to a new survey.

A survey by cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD asked cannabis users about news from Target, which recently launched a pilot program to offer adult-only infused beverage brands at select Minnesota stores.

In response to the development, respondents were asked, “Does knowing this make you more likely to shop at Target in the future?”

A total of 50.5 percent said they would be likely to, although a notable 34.4 percent said they would be more inclined to patronize Target if their local stores carried THC drinks. Another 16.1 percent said “yes” because they “now want to support more retailers regardless of where they sell their products.”

Half of respondents (49.5 percent) said Target’s adoption of a THC drink pilot program would not affect where they shop.

“What the survey shows should be pretty intuitive for all big-box retailers: selling products containing hemp-derived THC, which is now federally legal, will bring more cannabis users into those stores,” Andrew Graham, chief communications officer at NuggMD, told Marijuana Moment.

Q: “Last week, it was revealed that Target has begun selling THC-infused cannabis drinks in some stores. Does knowing this make you more likely to shop at Target in the future?”
	n:	%
Yes, but my local Target has THC infused products	98	34.4%
Yes, I want to support more retailers now regardless of where they sell their products	46	16.1%
No, it won’t affect my behavior	141	49.5%
	285

“By responsibly selling hemp-derived THC products, Target is doing what Congress has yet to do, which is provide access to THC to adults who want or need it,” he said. “I look forward to the company expanding the pilot program nationally. While I’m more of a local shopper myself, it’s still great to see such a ubiquitous national retailer making these products available.”

The survey interviewed 285 cannabis users between October 16 and 27, with a margin of error of +/-5.8 points.

It comes as Congress continues to debate legislation to recriminalize hemp-derived products containing quantifiable amounts of THC, and states across the country continue to evaluate their own laws.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters By pledging at least $25 per month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

A GOP senator said this week he is prepared to hold up spending legislation to end the ongoing government shutdown if Congress tries to push through. Controversial plan to ban THC-containing hemp products– although he has warned that there is a “real danger”, he will not prevail. As such, he says it is imperative that the industry make its voice heard on Capitol Hill in the coming days.

“I also told them—and I think they believe me—that we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is that I give my consent, and the hard way is that I don’t,” said Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), adding that he has proposed alternative language. This requires a study and report on the state’s regulatory models for hemp may inform future revisions of federal law.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan coalition of 39 state and territory attorneys general recently formed He asked Congress to clarify the federal definition of hemp and enact regulations preventing the sale of intoxicating cannabinoid products.

Additionally, a subsidiary of a multi-state marijuana company is suing DoorDash, Total Wine and several other businesses for violating Virginia’s hemp laws. Marketing cannabis products that exceed the legal THC limit.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.