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Most Rhode Island Marijuana Social Equity License Applicants Have Been Disqualified

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2 months ago

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The commission also approved new rules for hemp products.

By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Currant

Only 38 percent of pre-applicants for a cannabis retail license reserved for those affected by the war on drugs have been able to submit a formal application, the Cannabis Control Board announced Friday afternoon.

Of the 94 applications to be considered for a social equity license, 36 met the eligibility criteria after review. The committee received the certificate in a 2-0 vote on Friday and they now have until December 29th to submit applications to go to the lottery. The commission will award six social equity licenses through this lottery.

It was the first vote since the departure of President Kimberly Ahern 204,069 dollars a year left the post on October 21, 2026 to run for state attorney general.

Ahern’s usual seat between Commissioners Layi Oduyingbo and Robert Jacquard was empty while the other two members conducted business. In addition to voting to certify social equity applicants who have passed the eligibility test, the board formally approved hemp regulations previously administered by another agency.

Oduyingbo and Jacquard thanked Ahern for his work during the past two and a half years of meetings, including establishing rules governing Rhode Island’s recreational pot industry.

Olivia DaRocha, a spokeswoman for Gov. McKee’s (D) office, said Monday that the governor’s team is still working to identify a candidate to replace Ahern. That nomination would require Senate approval and is expected to be introduced early in the next legislative session, DaRocha said.

“In the meantime, the committee continues to work,” DaRocha wrote in an email to the Rhode Island Current.

Previous screenings of social equity applicants were performed by Massachusetts-based Creative Services, Inc.

To be certified and continue in the application process, social equity applicants must meet one of the following five criteria:

  1. 51 percent ownership and control One or more people have lived in a disproportionately affected area for at least five of the previous 10 years.
  2. 51 percent ownership and control One or more people who have been arrested or imprisoned for drug offenses that have since been decriminalized, or who have had a family member affected by the war on drugs.
  3. At least 10 full-time employees At least 51 percent of current employees live in a disproportionately affected area or were arrested/convicted of marijuana charges.
  4. ability to do demonstrate significant past experience or in business practices that promote economic empowerment in disproportionately affected areas.
  5. Not more than 400 percent of the median incomeas determined by the commission, in at least five of the past 10 years in an area of ​​disproportionate impact.

Over-impacted areas were determined by state regulations based on the federal poverty level, unemployment rate, number of students in the free school lunch program, and historical arrest rates by census tract. This applied to parts of five Rhode Island municipalities: Central Falls, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket.

Those who do not meet the criteria can still apply for a standard license. Applications for all types of licenses must be made by December 29.

Under the 2022 law that legalized recreational cannabis, the commission could offer 24 new licenses to retailers, with six reserved for social equity applicants and another six for worker-owned cooperatives. All recreational licenses will be distributed across six geographic zones, with a maximum of four stores per zone.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the state’s Office of Cannabis will have 90 days to review applications and verify that each meets eligibility qualifications before entering a lottery. The deadline set at the committee’s October 20 meeting is built in at least 60 days to allow applicants to secure approval at the local level for random selection.

The regulators is expected to start issuing licenses As soon as May 2026.

What about hemp?

Commissioners also voted to formally approve regulations for hemp products manufactured and sold in Rhode Island. The rules were approved under an emergency order in July after the commission took over oversight of hemp from the Department of Corporate Regulation before moving it to the new Bureau of Cannabis.

Carla Aveledo, the commission’s policy liaison, told the panel that the rules were mostly unchanged. Regulations still require products to be tested, labeled in a way that does not appeal to minors, and sales restricted to those 21 and older.

All products may contain 1 milligram total THC (the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant) per serving, or 5 milligrams total THC per package. That is somewhat contradictory The new rules passed by the federal government were intended to tighten the loopholes which have allowed the proliferation of psychoactive hemp products such as beverages and edibles.

“Staff will continue to monitor federal legislation and any changes to ensure that Rhode Island’s hemp laws are consistent with any federal requirements,” Aveledo said.

Rhode Island legalizes hemp-based alcoholic beverages starting in August 2024. The policy has divided the cannabis industry, which mostly opposes the products, and the liquor industry, which supports them but wants exclusive control over where they are sold.

The division called for the General Assembly’s Cannabis Control Commission to conduct a study on dosage limits, packaging standards, labeling requirements, licensing requirements and other ways to ensure that children do not accidentally consume intoxicating beverages.

The commission’s recommendations go to state lawmakers by March 1, 2026. The commission plans to hold hearings early next year as it shapes its study, commission spokeswoman Charon Rose said Monday.

This story was first published by the Rhode Island Currant.

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Sunderstorm expands in California with pre-roll company acquisition

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January 12, 2026

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Sunderstorm has acquired California-based pre-roll company Lime. Founded in 2019, Lime has hundreds of licensed dispensaries. Known for its craftsmanship, fast retail speed and affordable prices, Lime has built a strong following in the California cannabis culture and has a strong repeat purchase among everyday consumers.

© Thunderstorm

This transaction marks Sunderstorm’s second purchase after purchasing the vape© Thunderstorm Bounty brand in 2023. With the addition of Lime, Sunderstorm expands into a third product category, strengthening its house of brands and expanding access to the total cannabis market.

Lime will continue to operate as a distinct brand leveraging Sunderstorm’s sophisticated manufacturing, scaled supply chain, rigorous quality systems and data-driven operational discipline, positioning the brand for rapid expansion in the California and state markets.

“With this acquisition, we are strengthening our strategy built to win in 2026,” said Cameron Clarke, Sunderstorm’s founder and CEO. “The next chapter of cannabis will be defined by execution, not hype. We’ve built the infrastructure to scale efficiently, and the growth potential with Lime is significant. We’ll continue to look for additional opportunities.”

© Thunderstorm

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More Than A Third Of Rap And Hip Hop Music Videos Feature Marijuana, Government-Funded Study Shows

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January 12, 2026

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More than a third of popular US hip hop and rap music videos mentioned marijuana in 2024, according to a new government-backed study. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Artists like Dre have helped fuel the trend by promoting a “cool” lifestyle, the researchers said.

According to the analysis, which was funded by the Ministry of Justice and Health of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, 37 percent of US hip hop and rap videos in the top 100 YouTube charts in 2024 contained references to cannabis, while an additional 4 percent discussed marijuana and nicotine.

That adds up to 41 percent of the genre’s top videos featuring marijuana, contributing to the cultural normalization of the plant through art.

While 41 percent of hip hop and rap music videos talked about cannabis, the study by researchers at the German Institute for Therapy and Health Research found that only 2 percent of songs from other genres originating in the US mention marijuana.

“Cannabis has been firmly anchored in the US hip-hop scene since the 1990s, and has particularly influenced artists on America’s west coast,” says the study, published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse. “Rappers like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and The Game are particularly associated with cannabis and convey a ‘chill’ lifestyle.”

“Historically, cannabis has been embedded in American hip-hop culture through Afro-Caribbean and African-American subcultures and is in favor of widespread legalization,” they said. he said.

The study also looked at depictions of cannabis and nicotine in German music videos, and found that US trends were reversed, with nicotine being more prevalent in the videos than marijuana.

Hip-hop and rap have helped inform culture and politics over the years, and it will come as no surprise that Snoop Dogg’s influence in the US will continue to play a role in the movement.

Beyond his hit songs like “Gin and Juice,” which have become staples of cannabis music culture, Snoop has also expanded his cannabis business in recent years. Last June, for example, artist brought another direct-to-consumer hemp lifestyle platform to market under his Death Row Records label.

Snoop acquired music label Death Row Records in 2022, and the cannabis icon has used that legacy platform to create an intersection between culture and the plant.

In 2024, it also expanded the Smoke Weed Every Day (SWED) brand with a separate retail platform for consumers. sells hemp-derived cannabinoid products, smoking supplies and other merchandise.

That platform works as a directory SWED’s physical retail marijuana locations, including the Los Angeles dispensary and a Cafe in Amsterdam.

Late night host Jimmy Kimmel recognized Snoop’s cannabis legacy in 2023 the artist’s birthday, October 20, was called “a new high holiday”. DoggFather’s Day.

While he may be known as a lavish consumer, Snoop has championed reform, meaning Calling for a policy change in the NBA to allow players to freely use cannabis off the court

He said last year that he supported the reform “on the medical side, on the health benefits and if it could really help alleviate opioids and the pills and injections that are given.”

Snoop has long been supporting athletic organizations to adopt soft marijuana policiesoften emphasizing the point that cannabis can serve as a less addictive and risky alternative to prescription opioids.

Meanwhile, underscoring an anecdotal observation common among cannabis users, a group of Canadian researchers released a study in 2024 indicating that marijuana can make music more enjoyable. concluded that “cannabis’ effect on auditory experience may be generally enhanced” compared to simple listening.

A separate study published in 2021 examined the intersection of music and psilocybin-assisted therapy and it undermined the conventional wisdom that classical music is somehow more effective in that environment.

Image courtesy of TechCrunch.

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“Steady coco peat demand expected ahead of key planting seasons”

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January 11, 2026

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India’s supply of coir for export remains stable despite processing hiccups due to heavy rains, says Krishna Patil of Maharashtra-based produce export consultancy Krishna International Trade. “Availability is now stable due to improvements in coconut processing infrastructure in southern India. The flow of raw materials is now better managed than before, supporting both domestic consumption and export commitments.”

According to Patil, this year’s production has increased by 5-8% over last year, backed by better processing efficiency, mechanization and planning, with manufacturers also meeting export requirements. He said, “Supply generally appears balanced, but commodity fluctuations, container shortages and strict quality controls on EC, pH and moisture keep India’s coco peat exporters on the lookout. Strong process controls are essential to convert domestic grade material into export-matched quality.”

© Krishna International Trade

Patil’s coco peat export markets include Europe, particularly Spain, the Netherlands and Italy, as well as the Middle East, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. As he explains, “these markets are in regular cycles of planting and regeneration, so demand remains stable rather than sudden. Importers go beyond spot deals to find long-term partners. Domestically, local buyers often encounter quality differences and do not fully meet export specifications, although more users are now looking for export quality and standards.”

© Krishna International Trade

Coir peat is now more expensive to source, which Patil attributes to processing rather than demand. “Prices are 10% higher in recent months, mainly due to raw material shortages, higher logistics costs, slower drying due to two years of erratic rains, and not due to increased demand. Even if demand is stable, limited materials available for shipment and longer processing times are putting upward pressure on prices in the short term.”

Looking ahead, Patil sees demand growing steadily in the coming weeks and months as planting ramps up in key markets in Europe and the Middle East. “Prices may remain firm in the short term due to ongoing processing delays and limited ready stock due to the prolonged rain pattern. A gradual stabilization is expected over the next month or two. Once the weather normalizes, production lead times and material availability should improve, leading to a smooth return to balance.”

For more information: © Krishna International Trade
Krishna Patil
Krishna International Trade
Telephone: +91 90 22 810 343
Email: (email protected)
www.patilinternationaltrade.com

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