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The Grassroots Press Revolution Has Arrived: Introducing the Green Press Collective

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The Grassroots Press Revolution Has Arrived: Introducing the Green Press Collective

When it comes to publicity and marketing, herbal medicine brands have always had to play by different rules. Restricted from mainstream advertising, penalized on social media and fighting stigma at every turn, getting the word out has never been easy. And while mainstream news provides wide distribution, it rarely gives meaningful attention: herbal medicine stories get lost in the noise, ignored by media that don’t understand or care about this space. That changes today.

Four of the most popular grassroots media platforms in the cannabis space: Ganjapreneur, CashColorCannabis, Beard Bros Pharms AND Fat Nugs magazine have officially joined forces to launch the cannabis industry’s first media co-op: Green Press Collective (GPC). Built by industry, operated within industry and designed to serve industry.

GPC was created with a simple mission: to build an effective media distribution solution that actually reaches the cannabis, psychedelic and herbal medicine audiences that brands and businesses are trying to connect with, while also encouraging industry participants to engage directly with the independent media platforms that have supported these communities for years.

For the first time ever, cannabis and herbal medicine companies now have a centralized media hub capable of delivering massive, targeted outreach directly to the community and the culture itself.

Built by Community and Culture

Major press distribution services have long positioned themselves as the default option for cannabis businesses looking to make announcements, launch products, secure visibility or build legitimacy. But the reality within the industry has often looked very different. Many companies have found themselves paying a price for press releases that disappear into the digital abyss, generating little meaningful engagement from consumers, operators, advocates or members of the actual cannabis community.

“That’s the kind of no-nonsense approach that operators in our industry don’t have time for. Throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks is not really a winning strategy,” said Dustin Hoxworth, Founder of Fat Nugs Magazine.

“I’ve been telling brands and businesses within the cannabis industry for years now that their press release that they’re spending thousands of dollars with PR Newswire and others is like setting fire to your money. No one really cares and you won’t get the eyeballs that matter to you. Meanwhile, the mainstream media has become notorious for controlling a number of known and unknown control massive portions of what people see, hear and believe every day. That kind of narrative control is dangerous and one of the only ways to counter that is by supporting grassroots media instead of giant corporate machines watching us from the outside.

The Green Press Collective completely changes the equation by combining the audience, influence, reach, editorial infrastructure and cultural credibility of four independent cannabis media companies with deep roots into one coordinated publishing network.

Together, the collective represents over half a million social media followers, 110,000+ email subscribers and 80,000+ monthly website visitors. Most importantly, the people behind GPC are not outsiders looking in. They come from the community and culture themselves and have covered the space for years, so their combined audience is extremely important to anyone looking to reach business owners, professionals and connoisseurs of the space.

“This is much bigger than media coverage,” said Mehka King, Founder of CashColorCannabis. “For years, we’ve each told important stories, built trust with our audiences, and documented this industry from the inside. By coming together, we’re creating opportunities to help give those stories more reach and ensure culture remains part of the conversation as the industry continues to evolve.”

A new era for independent cannabis media

Green Press Collective has already spent months quietly operating behind the scenes, testing systems, refining operations, improving publishing workflows and working directly with selected brands and partners to ensure the structure is fully prepared before its official launch. According to the founding members, the early response has proven that a broader distribution infrastructure built specifically for the cannabis and herbal medicine audience has been sorely needed for years.

“I think offering brands an option to publish announcements directly is the most transparent and effective way for publishers to monetize distributions,” said Noel Abbott, Co-Founder and CEO of Ganjapreneur. “We get so many press releases sent to us every day, there’s no way we can read them all and still do our policy coverage, and it always confused me to think that these brands were basically paying a corporate middleman to send me a hundred emails a day. Why not give people a way to share their company news directly with their target audience? Once we all got a call to talk, the idea it was obvious.”

The formation of GPC also represents a deliberate shift toward collaboration, bringing independent publishers together to build a collective infrastructure strong enough to compete with major advertising and media networks. Instead of sending marketing dollars out of the ecosystem chasing hypothetical results, GPC gives brands an opportunity to get guaranteed exposure while directly supporting the selling points that emerge for this industry every day.

“This industry was built by people who understood the power of community long before anyone outside of cannabis saw the opportunity. That same spirit is what makes the Green Press Collective so important. By connecting four independent cannabis publications, we’re creating a stronger, more unified platform for brands that want real visibility with the audience that actually cares. GPC gives the industry a way to invest in the cannabis market, making the support of the media, making her believe through voices that have earned their credibility.” Bill Levers, Co-Founder of Beard Bros Pharms & Media.

The future of mainstream media starts now

The collective’s long-term vision extends beyond the distribution of press releases. Future plans already being explored include expansion to include additional publishing channels, additional multimedia offerings, cross-platform content collaborations, event integration, and new forms of audience amplification in the cannabis, psychedelic, and herbal medicine sectors.

Right now, founding organizations are focused on providing notification delivery and building the infrastructure to deliver meaningful results. Brands, operators and organizations interested in submitting notices can review the guidelines and learn more about the process via the GPC website:

https://www.greenpresscollective.com

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Announcements

CannaCon Returns to St. Paul June 26–27, Bringing Industry Leaders, Education, and Networking to Minnesota’s Cannabis Market

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1 day ago

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June 11, 2026

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CannaCon Returns to St. Paul June 26–27, Bringing Industry Leaders, Education, and Networking to Minnesota's Cannabis Market

Pot Brothers at Law, Roundtable Discussions and an Exclusive Q&A with the Office of Cannabis Management Highlight This Year’s Event

ST. PAUL, MN – CannaCon, the nation’s premier B2B cannabis conference and expo, returns to the Saint Paul RiverCentre on June 26–27, 2026, bringing together cannabis entrepreneurs, growers, retailers, processors, manufacturers, investors and industry service providers from across Minnesota.

As Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market continues to evolve, CannaCon St. Paul offers attendees a unique opportunity to connect directly with industry experts, regulators and business leaders as they explore the latest products, services and innovations shaping the future of cannabis.

One of this year’s featured attractions is an appearance by nationally known people Pot Brothers at Lawattorneys Marc and Craig Wasserman, known for their viral “Shut the F*ck Up” campaign that educates cannabis consumers and businesses about their legal rights. Attendees will hear first-hand insights into boating interactions with law enforcement and regulators while protecting themselves and their businesses.

In addition to a robust seminar program, CannaCon St. Paul will display interactive The Round Table designed to foster meaningful conversations among cannabis professionals. These peer-to-peer sessions will allow attendees to exchange ideas, share experiences and discuss the real-world challenges and opportunities facing operators in Minnesota’s emerging market.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a special Question and Answer Session with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). This highly anticipated session will provide valuable insight into licensing, compliance requirements, regulatory updates and the future direction of Minnesota’s cannabis industry.

“Our goal is to create an environment where businesses can learn, connect and grow,” said Angela Grelle, Director of Marketing for CannaCon. “With Minnesota’s cannabis industry entering an exciting new phase, we’re proud to offer a platform that connects entrepreneurs with the education, resources and relationships they need to succeed.”

In addition to educational programming, attendees can explore over one hundred exhibitors showcasing cultivation technology, retail solutions, extraction equipment, packaging, compliance services, financial resources, software platforms and other products designed to help cannabis businesses thrive.

Whether you’re preparing to launch a new cannabis venture, expand an existing operation, or stay ahead of industry trends, CannaCon St. Paul offers two days of education, networking and business-focused opportunities.

Event details

CannaCon St. Paul 2026
26–27 June 2026
Saint Paul River Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

For tickets, exhibitor information and event updates, visit CannaCon.org.

About CannaCon

CannaCon is the nation’s premier B2B cannabis conference and expo, bringing together cannabis industry professionals for education, networking and business development opportunities. Since its inception, CannaCon has connected thousands of entrepreneurs, operators and industry experts helping businesses grow in legal cannabis markets across the United States.

Media contact:
Angela Grelle
COO
CannaCon
angela@cannacon.org
www.cannacon.org

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Announcements

Dasheeda Dawson Launches Multi-State Cannabis Tour Focused on Policy, Culture, and Community

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2 weeks ago

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May 30, 2026

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Dasheeda Dawson Launches Multi-State Cannabis Tour Focused on Policy, Culture, and Community

Founder WeedHead™ & Company brings talks, workshops, storytelling and community activations to cannabis markets throughout the Northeast and beyond

NEW YORK, NY — Dasheeda Dawson, renowned national cannabis strategist, former government regulator, molecular biologist, best-selling author and founder of The WeedHead™ & Company, recently announced the launch of The State (of) Flower Tour, a first of its kind in multiple states, traveling to 20 of the largest legal cannabis markets.

Launching alongside the long-awaited fourth edition of Dawson’s best-selling book, How to Succeed in the Cannabis Industrythe tour will bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, students, educators, workers, media, advocates and community members through conversations, workshops, cultural events, workforce development programming and storytelling activations designed to connect the many parts of the cannabis industry that often operate separately.

The tour kicks off in New York before traveling through New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, with additional stops planned in Florida and Nevada. The final stop will be in Philadelphia in partnership with Black Cannabis Week 2026.

“After more than a decade working in cannabis policy, business, science and community development, I’ve seen the same model work in every market,” Dawson said. “We didn’t just build an industry. We built it in pieces. This tour is about putting those pieces together by creating real pathways for education, entrepreneurship, workforce development and community connection.”

Each stop on the tour will feature programming tailored to the local market, including fireside chats, educational workshops, facility tours, networking events, She Blaze Podcast activations, job fairs and community-centered cultural experiences.

The tour comes at a critical time for the cannabis industry as states continue to navigate legalization, workforce development, equity enforcement and the broader implications of federal reform. While legal markets continue to expand, many aspiring entrepreneurs, workers, students and communities most affected by the ban still face barriers to access, information, visibility and opportunity.

The Flower State(s) Tour is being held in conjunction with Veronica “Vee” Castillo, known internationally as Vee, the Traveling Cannabis Writer, a globally respected cannabis author, advocate and journalist whose reporting on cannabis culture and equity has appeared in more than 25 publications. Castillo is partnering with Fame Neal, Exhale Social PRO co-founder and event producer, to develop the New Jersey tour programming.

“Storytelling has always been one of the most powerful tools we have in this industry, and I’m excited to kick off the tour in New Jersey alongside Dasheeda and Fame,” said Castillo. “This tour creates space to document the people, communities and culture that shape cannabis across the country.”

In addition to live events, the tour will generate original digital content through podcast conversations, mini-documentary episodes, written features and behind-the-scenes stories distributed across social platforms, podcast networks, email campaigns and partner media.

The fourth edition of How to Succeed in the Cannabis Industry expands on Dawson’s best-selling workbook with more than 100 pages of new content, including insights into the post-reprogramming era, a new chapter on cannabis regulation, and an expanded section focused on cannabis access, justice and health equity.

Pre-orders are now available at TheWeedHead.com.

Additional tour dates, programming announcements and partner collaborations will be released in the coming weeks.

###

ABOUT DASHEEDA DAWSON

Dasheeda Dawson, also known as The WeedHead™, is a cannabis strategist, entrepreneur, educator, speaker and former government regulator working at the intersection of business, science, policy, culture and community impact. She has spent more than a decade helping shape the legal cannabis industry through leadership in public policy, media, entrepreneurship and advocacy.

Dawson previously led the cannabis regulatory offices in both New York City and Portland, Oregon, and currently serves as co-founder and board chair of the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition (CRCC). She is also the Founder of The WeedHead™ & Company and co-founder and CEO of Wave Holistic Health, a licensed medical cannabis company in New York.

ABOUT THE COMPANY AND WEEDHEAD™

WeedHead™ & Company is a cannabis education, media and strategy platform focused on business, policy, science, culture, wellness and the empowerment of the cannabis community through content, experiences, products and strategic initiatives.

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Announcements

Modern Canna Expands Quality Ecosystem with Strategic Investment in CannaGuard PRO™

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2 weeks ago

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May 27, 2026

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Modern Canna Expands Quality Ecosystem with Strategic Investment in CannaGuard PRO™

After rigorous evaluation, Modern Canna adds EPA-registered pipelines to its growing suite of quality cannabis solutions – including lab testing, software, consulting, risk mitigation and audit services.

(Lakeland, FL) – May, 2026 – Modern Canna, a provider of full-spectrum cannabis and hemp quality solutions, today announced a strategic investment in CannaGuard PRO™, the creator of a patented, EPA-registered disinfection platform purpose-built for commercial cannabis and hemp operations. The investment adds to sanitary facilities Khan’s modern quality ecosystem – a comprehensive suite of services that includes laboratory testing, proprietary software solutions, compliance consulting and risk mitigation services.

The decision to invest came after an extensive, multi-phase evaluation in which Modern Canna was evaluated CannaGuard PRO in the face of real operational challenges that its customers face every day. The product was reviewed for scientific validity, ease of integration into existing SOPs, and its role within a broader contamination prevention framework. Only after this process did Modern Canna step forward – not just as a trading partner, but as an equity investor.

“We don’t recommend products that we haven’t put under the same scrutiny that we apply to everything else in our ecosystem. CannaGuard PRO earned its place here. After evaluation, use at the facility level, and a close look at how it fits into real sanitation workflows, it was clear that this was the right investment—for our customers and for the industry.”

  • Andrew Fernandez, Director of Client Relations and Business Development, Modern Canna

Khan’s modern quality ecosystem

Modern canna has long understood this quality in cannabis it cannot be reduced to a single service or a single point in the production process. The company’s Quality Ecosystem was built on the principle that operators need an integrated, end-to-end partner—one that can identify risk before it becomes a problem, build systems to prevent it, and verify results with scientific accuracy.

That ecosystem now includes five pillars:

Laboratory testing: Accredited Cannabis and Hemp analytical testing with the scientific rigor and data transparency that operators depend on for product compliance and quality.

Software solutions: Proprietary technology platforms that help customers track, manage and act on quality data throughout their operations.

Compliance Consulting: Expert guidance to help operators build and maintain the regulatory framework their business requires.

Risk mitigation services: Proactively identify and manage contamination risk, operational gaps and quality weaknesses before they become costly bottlenecks.

Sanitary solutions: Purpose-built, EPA-registered disinfection through CannaGuard PRO™ – now the official sanitation solution of the Modern Canna Quality Ecosystem.

“We’ve always told customers that quality starts long before the samples arrive in our lab. It starts with what happens inside the facility – SOPs, surfaces, hygiene habits. The investment in CannaGuard PRO is that we put resources behind this belief. Now we can offer customers a complete solution, from grow room to certificate of analysis.”

  • J. Brian Leapard, MS, Head of Innovation and New Markets, Modern Canna

Why CannaGuard PRO met the standard

Modern Canna evaluated CannaGuard PRO against the same first-rate criteria it applies to its own services. The product is a patented, EPA-registered disinfectant designed specifically for the surfaces and workflows of commercial cannabis facilities – not a repackaged household cleaner tailored for a grow room. It is non-abrasive, non-caustic and non-reactive, with a clear drying formula that leaves no sticky residue and no harsh chemical odor.

Approved surfaces include growing tools, trays, tanks, watering equipment, greenhouse equipment, propagation trays, grow racks and other hard, non-porous surfaces when used according to label directions. Its design directly addresses one of the most common SOP failures that Modern Canna encounters in production facilities: hygiene products that are technically available but practically difficult for teams to use consistently.

“In our line of work, we see the same point of failure over and over again: Operators have hygiene protocols on paper, but the products they use create friction—strong odors, corrosive chemistry, complicated dilution steps. Teams cut corners not because they want to, but because the tools make compliance difficult. CannaGuard PRO removes what works for our customer.”

  • Eric Kemp, Chief Technology Officer, Modern Canna

What does this mean for cannabis operators?

For operators working with Modern Canna, this investment means access to a verified, integrated sanitation solution backed by the same organization that runs their quality program. Instead of source and evaluation hygiene products independently, they can now adopt CannaGuard PRO with confidence, knowing it has been evaluated by the same team that reviews their SOPs and contamination risk profiles.

For the broader industry, the partnership signals a clear direction: the most competitive cannabis operations will be those that treat quality as a proactive system, not a reactive response to test results. Modern Canna is positioned to be the partner that helps operators build that system from the ground up.

About Modern Canna

Modern Canna is a full-spectrum cannabis and hemp quality solutions provider offering laboratory testing, proprietary software, compliance consulting, risk mitigation services and (through its investment in CannaGuard PRO™) facility sanitation solutions. Built on a foundation of scientific rigor and operational expertise, Modern Canna partners with growers, processors and manufacturers to help them build quality systems that are defensible, proactive and scalable. For more information, visit moderncanna.com.

About CannaGuard PRO™

CannaGuard PRO™ is a patented, EPA-registered disinfection platform designed for commercial cannabis cultivation, hemp processing and controlled environment agriculture. Its non-corrosive, non-caustic, residue-free formula is designed to support consistent SOP compliance across all surfaces and workflows of modern cannabis facilities. CannaGuard PRO is the official sanitation solution of the Modern Canna Quality Ecosystem. For more information, visit cannaguard.pro.

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