Twelve years ago, a universal energetic shift began during the four days of the Winter Solstice, empowering us into a new era of being. As human evolution in a critical mass often crawls at a glacial pace, this metamorphic shift has been commonly overlooked and unfulfilled. Given humanity tends to exist in a reactive vacuum of instinct and/or intellect, the momentum of this exponential progression passed through our preoccupied senses primarily undiscovered. The universal energy of the shift is all encompassing, as is its essential empowerment. This new era encourages us to embody our soul as an expression of universality.
The Rise of Egocentricity
The US Election triggered our repressed instincts, thoughts and emotions, springing into our awareness through the expression of our reactivity. I observed how many responded to the electoral melee with graphic projections of rampant adolescence. For some, egocentricity erupted with arrogance, entitlement, self-righteousness and superiority. While for others, it ignited anger, fear, frustration and hopelessness. Many regressed into their adolescence, personalizing the outcome in the extreme. We all encountered unconscious and unresolved facets of our unfulfilled being. Yet, few chose to explore their opportunity.
Unwarranted Opinion
Many forms of media have descended into editorial madness; proliferating agenda-laden storylines, programming us into propagandized narratives, while pandering to our personal ideologies. When we are confident in our indoctrination; we seek to compensate for our insecurities with fictitious rhetoric. We emulate our oratory as a strategy to alter another’s perception, in justification of our postulation. It is a popular practice to offer our unfiltered convictions, cast in the form of unwarranted opinions. This intensifies volatile, social environments with the toxicity of our egocentricity, all in the name of vanity.
The Greatest Divide
The existential division we observe in society is not exclusive to our relativity with others, or our daily life. It reflects the self-schism we enable with our oblivion to our soul and the universe. Arrogance, entitlement, self-righteousness and superiority are the defense-mechanisms we establish to protect us from perceived threats we may encounter in our everyday endeavors to survive. Our focus of awareness eventually pivots from our relationship with ourselves, our soul and the universe, settling into our dependence on and existence in social reality. The greatest divide we will ever endure is with our soul.
“Our soul is the Universe.”
On the Threshold
For over a decade, humanity has been on the threshold of universality. When the pandemic occurred in 2020, it was our opportunity to observe, discover, explore and embody our soul as an expression of the universe. Since 2012, we have all stood upon our personal threshold of universal being, regardless of our virtuosity with consciousness, manifestation, relativity and transformation. Throughout the expanse of our human experience, our soul has been holding the space for us to shift into universality. When we reflect, release and transform, we transcend.
The Era of Transcendence
Habitual engagement in social reality severs our relativity with our soul and the universe. Where we focus our attention is where we conduct our energy. Our inherent interaction with sociality is often an unconscious simulation, given our dependencies on amusement, delusion, distraction and preoccupation. Our existence is defined by how we react to our environment, rather than experiencing who we are being in the present. The Solstice Shift is an exodus from our enslavement in virtuality. It reunites us with our soul to empower our universality. This is the embodiment of our transcendence.
Soul Streaming
Currently, we are all confronted by the transitional shifts converging on every dimensional facet of our being. Given we collectively exhibit instinct and intellect, our emotional, intuitive and spiritual shifts transpire beyond our everyday virtuality. Our capacity to experience and transform the energetic movements evolving in our heart, intuition and soul is often a futile endeavor. As we transcend social reality, our relativity with our soul resonates beyond our peripheral existence. When we are aligned, balanced and centered, our soul streams consciousness in the flow of universality.
Becoming the Flow
Our soul and the universe are one, emanating universality through our intuition, and into the centers of our being. The torus in our heart center empowers eternal revolutions of omnidimensional energy. Our focus and intention, or lack thereof, defines the nature of our feelings, thoughts and actions, thus our experience. When we resonate with our soul, we are empowered by universality within the expression of our unique flow. Establishing the equilibrium between the facets of our being, amidst the fluctuating currents of our internal and external environments, is essential in resonating with the universal stream of consciousness.
The Solstice Shift
The Winter Solstice is a four-day progression of completion, renewal and transformation. During this shift, every antiquated action, thought and feeling inhibiting our ascension emerges from our existential unconscious to be healed and released. In this space of clarity, insight and understanding, we either cling to our engagements in virtuality, or we empower our personal transcendence. Since the Winter Solstice in 2012, universal energy has been streaming into our being. The Solstice Shift is our evolutionary transcendence; to express the resonance of universality and be an embodiment of our soul.
In financial news, Organigram released its 2024 fiscal report, and Aurora announced a distribution partnership between MedReleaf Australia and The Entourage Effect.
Craft Kings Cannabis Groupannounced its acquisition of BC Green Farms Ltd, located in Duncan, British Columbia. The move triples Craft King’s cultivation space.
Delta 9 is well-poised to become Manitoba’s cannabis superstore thanks to its upcoming acquisition by FIKA Company, shares FIKA CEO Mark Vasey with the Winnipeg Free Press. All Delta 9 stores currently operating in Manitoba will continue to operate under the same name, but the number of products they will carry will expand from around 200 to 800.
During the holiday season, the SQDC will offer in-branch and online services, according to a modified schedule, between Tuesday, December 24, 2024 and Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Edmonton Police say charges have been laid against a 19-year-old man in connection with a series of robberies that targeted cannabis and convenience stores in Calgary and Edmonton. StratCann covered those robberieshere. The suspect is believed to be connected to 17 robberies in Calgary and four in Edmonton, which occurred between Sunday, September 1, 2024, and Monday, December 16, 2024.
Cannara Biotech Inc.announced that it will be relying on CSA Coordinated Blanket Order 51-913 for an exemption from the requirements to send proxy-related materials for its upcoming annual general meeting to be held on January 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., due to the current delays and suspension of mail service in Canada as a result of the nationwide strike of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers that commenced on November 15, 2024.
A staff report in Melfort, Saskatchewan,recommends against limiting the number of cannabis shops in the town about two hours northeast of Saskatoon. In October, Into the Weeds Cannabis and Saskabuds Cannabis requested that Council consider limiting the number of cannabis retail stores in Melfort to two. Director of Community Services Rob Lok said Council will decide whether to limit the number of cannabis stores in the city at their next council meeting on January 13.
High Tide Inc. announced the openings of its 190th and 191stCanna Cabana branded retail cannabis locations in Canada: the 84th in the province of Alberta and the 76th in the province of Ontario.
MTL Cannabis Corp.announced that it has fully repaid its 13.25% mortgage, which was originally issued by MTL’s predecessor company to a private lender prior to the Company’s business combination with Canada House Cannabis Group.
The Research Society on Marijuana (RSMJ) published a special issue with 12 research papers on cannabis in Canada post-legalization in the journal Cannabis, an open-access peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the scientific study of marijuana/cannabis from a multidisciplinary perspective.
More than 20 workers at the Cannabis 21+ dispensary in San Diego, California, voted to join UFCW Local 135. In addition to Cannabis 21+, UFCW Local 135 represents over 400 cannabis workers in San Diego and Imperial Valley’s cannabis industries.
The future of the US hemp industry remains on the line as lawmakers once again put a five-year farm bill reauthorization package on the back burner and instead agreed to a one-year extension in the final days of the current Congress, reports the Cannabis Business Times.
The government in the Netherlands recently announced that as of April 7, 2025, coffee shops in municipalities participating in the nation’s Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment will only be allowed to sell regulated cannabis.
In financial news, Organigram released its 2024 fiscal report, and Aurora announced a distribution partnership between MedReleaf Australia and The Entourage Effect.
Craft Kings Cannabis Groupannounced its acquisition of BC Green Farms Ltd, located in Duncan, British Columbia. The move triples Craft King’s cultivation space.
Delta 9 is well-poised to become Manitoba’s cannabis superstore thanks to its upcoming acquisition by FIKA Company, shares FIKA CEO Mark Vasey with the Winnipeg Free Press. All Delta 9 stores currently operating in Manitoba will continue to operate under the same name, but the number of products they will carry will expand from around 200 to 800.
During the holiday season, the SQDC will offer in-branch and online services, according to a modified schedule, between Tuesday, December 24, 2024 and Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Edmonton Police say charges have been laid against a 19-year-old man in connection with a series of robberies that targeted cannabis and convenience stores in Calgary and Edmonton. StratCann covered those robberieshere. The suspect is believed to be connected to 17 robberies in Calgary and four in Edmonton, which occurred between Sunday, September 1, 2024, and Monday, December 16, 2024.
Cannara Biotech Inc.announced that it will be relying on CSA Coordinated Blanket Order 51-913 for an exemption from the requirements to send proxy-related materials for its upcoming annual general meeting to be held on January 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., due to the current delays and suspension of mail service in Canada as a result of the nationwide strike of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers that commenced on November 15, 2024.
A staff report in Melfort, Saskatchewan,recommends against limiting the number of cannabis shops in the town about two hours northeast of Saskatoon. In October, Into the Weeds Cannabis and Saskabuds Cannabis requested that Council consider limiting the number of cannabis retail stores in Melfort to two. Director of Community Services Rob Lok said Council will decide whether to limit the number of cannabis stores in the city at their next council meeting on January 13.
High Tide Inc. announced the openings of its 190th and 191stCanna Cabana branded retail cannabis locations in Canada: the 84th in the province of Alberta and the 76th in the province of Ontario.
MTL Cannabis Corp.announced that it has fully repaid its 13.25% mortgage, which was originally issued by MTL’s predecessor company to a private lender prior to the Company’s business combination with Canada House Cannabis Group.
The Research Society on Marijuana (RSMJ) published a special issue with 12 research papers on cannabis in Canada post-legalization in the journal Cannabis, an open-access peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the scientific study of marijuana/cannabis from a multidisciplinary perspective.
More than 20 workers at the Cannabis 21+ dispensary in San Diego, California, voted to join UFCW Local 135. In addition to Cannabis 21+, UFCW Local 135 represents over 400 cannabis workers in San Diego and Imperial Valley’s cannabis industries.
The future of the US hemp industry remains on the line as lawmakers once again put a five-year farm bill reauthorization package on the back burner and instead agreed to a one-year extension in the final days of the current Congress, reports the Cannabis Business Times.
The government in the Netherlands recently announced that as of April 7, 2025, coffee shops in municipalities participating in the nation’s Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment will only be allowed to sell regulated cannabis.
Welcome to the Good Weed Board on StratCann, part nine! In my last column, we scrutinized the cheap weed system and explained why consumers should beware of some pre-rolls, vape oils, and milled flower.
Here in Part Nine, we present the Twelve Rules of the OG Rating Guide. Let’s begin with the basics.
Rule #1: Professional scissors are better than any kind of grinder. Yes, grinders work faster. But attention to detail is crucial when breaking apart dried flower for quality-grading purposes.
Rule #2: Thin rolling papers provide a smoother burn. The best ones are generally not found inside your average convenience store. I like the OCB Ultimate or Elements ultra-thin rice papers.
Rule #3: It’s best to ignore the misinformation on package labels. We know that Indica and Sativa are bogus claims. The same is true for THC and Terpene percentages. COA results can be fabricated, and many brands are culpable. For examples of best-in-class labelling, check out Organnicraft, Victoria Cannabis Company, or Book Club.
Rule #4: Visual appeal is an overrated metric. Flavour and burn quality are more important. Too many growers these days release buds that are nice-looking but taste and burn inadequately.
Rule #5: Hand-rolled joints are the best way to judge quality. It’s fine to bong, it’s okay to vape, but these actions don’t provide a complete flavour experience. Smoking is the best way to realize the more subtle and complex notes of cannabis.
Rule #6: Ash colour is an indicator of burn quality. Supreme burn quality means the joint stays lit and burns easily. Lighter-coloured buds tend to burn more enthusiastically, while darker-coloured buds often burn reluctantly and with a darker ash.
Rule #7: Remediation degrades craft dried flower. The practice can lead to moisture imbalance, which causes bud to break apart into weird little bits instead of being sticky or fluffy. Secondary metabolites can also be diminished.
Rule #8: The 3.5-gram is a regrettable format. Eighths are viable in a deli-style scenario, but the package size fails to balance moisture content throughout a CPG distribution system. More dried flower packed together works better.
Rule #9: Humidity packs are a red flag. They degrade aromatic phytochemicals and shouldn’t be required. I’ve bought Homestead ounces without any pack that were still well balanced six months after the package date. Curing definitely matters.
Rule #10: Scoring isn’t valid when judging multiple samples simultaneously. Graders must spend more focused time with the material they’re evaluating to gain a comprehensive sensory experience.
Rule #11: Terroir is noticeable for all types of growers. I’ve sampled multiple offerings from many different producers. Each of them has made an identifiable brand of flower. Their unique environments and ingredients play an essential role. It would be fun to establish an appellation program for cannabis.
Rule #12: Direct-to-consumer and farmgate are underutilized. These additional sales channels have enabled microbreweries, artisan coffee roasters, and cottage wineries to thrive. They can do the same for craft cannabis. Canada should eliminate the 30-gram possession limit, and the provinces should authorize bulk distribution, combined with deli-style retail. Traditional market consumers will follow.
That’s all for Part Nine. Stay tuned for Part Ten as we introduce our new classification tool: Delineating the Fuel Spectrum. Happy blazing!
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Marty Wig is a contributor for StratCann. He’s the co-founder of Overgrown Gardens, creator of the OG Rating Guide and the Good Weed Board. All opinions expressed are his own.
“The trickster is the unconscious judging the judgments of the ego. The trickster pokes holes through the ego’s inflation. The trickster tells the dreamer to include irrationality in himself.” ~Eugene Monick
The trickster is a complex and multifaceted figure found in mythologies, folklore, philosophy, and psychology worldwide, serving several crucial roles in both individual psyche and cultural narratives.
The trickster, as an archetype, is a fundamental aspect of all humans. It’s both a sacred and a profane energy, both dynamic and traumatic, both reverent and sacrilegious.
It teaches this above all: anyone seeking to be wise must first become a fool to gain true wisdom. The individual must always keep the shadow conscious both as an egoic deterrent (as a balancing mechanism for blinding light) and as a guard against living out our shadow side compulsively.
The trickster is the most profound personification of the archetypal shadow, symbolizing the shadow side of ideals and beliefs. As a counterpoint to one-dimensional perceptions and behaviors, the trickster takes on the sacred cows of civilization with the profane crows of actualization.
Trickster as archetype is a harsh wakeup call when we’re pretending to be asleep. Here are five profound ways the trickster keeps our ego in check.
1.) Trickster facilitates keeping the shadow conscious:
“There is no generally effective technique for assimilating the shadow. It is more like diplomacy or statesmanship, and it is always an individual matter. First one has to accept and take seriously the existence of the Shadow. Second, one has to become aware of its qualities and intentions. This happens through conscientious attention to moods, fantasies and impulses. Third, a long process of negotiation is unavoidable.” ~Daryl Sharp
The shadow, according to Jungian psychology, represents the parts of ourselves that we repress or deny, often because they are socially unacceptable or personally embarrassing.
The trickster, by engaging in behaviors that are mischievous, chaotic, or morally ambiguous, mirrors these shadow aspects. This mirroring can help individuals recognize and integrate their shadow elements rather than letting them fester and blacken in an unconscious unactualized state, which could lead to psychopathy and compulsivity, but when made conscious could potentially lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
In our youth it was necessary to keep the shadow in check to achieve discipline; but in our maturity, it is vital that we integrate it in order to achieve wholeness. True wholeness implies the integration of opposites.
2.) Trickster thwarts seriousness with humor:
“After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box.” ~Italian Proverb
The trickster’s antics can also provoke laughter or reflection, which can disarm the seriousness with which we often view our darker sides.
Laughter is a cultural leveling mechanism par excellence. Humor has a democratizing effect; it levels the playing field. When everyone laughs at a trickster’s antics, it momentarily erases distinctions of class, status, or expertise. This communal laughter can break down barriers, fostering a sense of unity and shared humanity. By making light of what is usually taken very seriously, the Trickster reminds us that no one is above the capacity for folly, thus reducing the weight of seriousness.
Picture the heyoka (a Native American term for the tribal clown or jester) who helped the tribe stay in touch with the shadow side of life via transgressive behaviors, funny situations, and other activities that upturned typical reality.
The trickster archetype is adept at exposing us to absurdity. Through humor, the trickster can shift perspectives, making the unbearable bearable and the unchangeable seem less oppressive. Highlighting the often ridiculous nature of human behavior or societal rules, the absurdity of the trickster’s actions mirrors the absurdity in our own lives or societies, prompting laughter at ourselves and the Cosmic Joke.
3.) Trickster deflates the ego:
“The trickster is the ego demolitions expert who helps us become more realistic about our psychological limitations and ultimately our spiritual limitlessness.” ~Dave Richo
When the ego becomes inflated, believing itself to be more important or capable than it truly is, the trickster comes into play by exposing or undermining our grandiosity. Through pranks, reversals, or unexpected turns of events, the trickster can humble us, reminding us of our limitations and human fallibility. This deflation is not just about humiliation but about realigning our self-perception with reality, fostering humility and a more balanced ego.
Trickster forces our head over the ledge of the abyss. “Laugh or die!” he says. Laugh or die. We either embrace the absurdity of an indifferent universe and have a laugh, or we assuage ourselves with delusions of grandeur and suffer when our expectations are not met. The human condition is a labyrinth of unknown despair. There are too many dead ends. All the more reason to make cultivating a good sense of humor our primary task.
The beauty of letting go of our sense of entitlement is that eventually we realize everything is connected to everything else. We see how we are the world, and the world is us. We don’t need anything because it’s already a part of us. Our ego goes from being a self-entitled tyrant to a self-overcoming liberator.
4.) Trickster even has healing potential:
“Doctors study medicine. Teachers study education. Healers study darkness.” ~Mark Lundy
The trickster often operates at the boundary between health and sickness, life and death, order and chaos. In many myths, tricksters are healers or bringers of medicine, not through traditional means but through unexpected or unorthodox methods. They can introduce healing by breaking patterns or by making people confront what they’ve been avoiding.
This healing can be psychological, helping individuals to overcome rigid ways of thinking, or it can be social, bringing about change or reconciliation in communities stuck in old conflicts or outdated norms.
The flower of our ability to heal has its roots in the depths of our wounds. Before mastery, shadow work. After mastery, shadow work. This has been the way of all healers since time immemorial. And no force but the trickster has the wherewithal and cunning enough to trick us into this sacred confrontation.
5.) Trickster helps break us open for spontaneity and creativity:
“A joyful life is an individual creation that cannot be copied from a recipe.” ~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The trickster’s role in breaking down structures, expectations, and the known is perhaps where its most liberating function lies. By disrupting the status quo, the trickster forces individuals and societies to adapt, innovate, and think differently.
This breaking open can lead to new insights, creativity, and spontaneity. The trickster encourages a playful approach to life, one where not all is planned and where the unexpected can be a source of growth rather than fear. This is particularly relevant in artistic endeavors where breaking away from convention can lead to breakthroughs.
In essence, the trickster archetype serves as a catalyst for individual and collective transformation by reflecting and integrating the shadow, humbling the ego, facilitating healing through unconventional means, and unleashing creativity by breaking down rigid structures and expectations.
This archetype, while often seen as disruptive, plays a vital role in maintaining psychological balance and cultural evolution, reminding us of the value in chaos, change, and the unexpected. Play on, trickster. Play on.
Gary Z McGee, a former Navy Intelligence Specialist turned philosopher, is the author of Birthday Suit of God and The Looking Glass Man. His works are inspired by the great philosophers of the ages and his wide-awake view of the modern world.
This article (Trickster Archetype: The Ultimate Ego Leveling Mechanism) was originally created and published by Self-inflicted Philosophy and is printed here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Gary Z McGee and self-inflictedphilosophy.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this statement of copyright.
The DEA is requesting approval from an agency judge to issue subpoenas compelling officials from the FDA to testify at forthcoming hearings regarding the Biden administration’s proposal to reschedule cannabis.
Friday was the deadline for parties involved in the hearing to submit additional materials, including evidence and witness information, to DEA Judge John Mulrooney as part of the pre-hearing process.
The DEA stated in its filing that it plans to subpoena four FDA officials, even though the HHS previously stated that it wouldn’t voluntarily participate in the proceedings. Additionally, the DEA announced its intention to introduce thousands of comments from the public submitted during the rulemaking process as evidence. This is despite the judge’s prior ruling that public comments are not admissible as evidence, warning the agency against attempting to use them inappropriately.
Judge Mulrooney cautioned that overwhelming the court with inadmissible comments could create the impression of a delay tactic, even if unintentional. The DEA defended its position by arguing that including public comments as evidence is crucial for decision-makers, given their significance to the proposed rulemaking. To address the logistical challenges posed by the volume of comments, the agency requested permission to submit them in electronic form rather than as physical documents.
In its recent filing, the DEA also provided details about the anticipated testimony of the four FDA officials it seeks to subpoena. According to the agency, the officials would provide critical information about the medical and scientific evaluations conducted as part of the HHS Eight-Factor analysis, which forms the foundation of the proposed rescheduling.
The analysis examines several aspects of a substance, including its potential for abuse, known pharmacological effects, current scientific knowledge, history and patterns of misuse, risks to public health, dependence liability, and whether it is a precursor to other controlled substances.
The DEA further explained that witnesses would discuss cannabis’ medical use, including its widespread application in states and the recognition of such use by regulatory entities overseeing medical practice. Additionally, witnesses are expected to address how medical marijuana is currently used in the U.S., despite its designation as a Schedule I drug.
The ongoing proceedings have sparked concerns among marijuana reform advocates about potential bias within the DEA’s handling of the rulemaking process. Some view the agency’s dual role as both the proponent of the proposed rule and the entity overseeing the hearings with skepticism.
The marijuana industry, including enterprises like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), looks forward to the next steps of the rescheduling process and the final ruling that will be made on the CSA status of marijuana.
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Brand commitment is finally normalizing in the cannabis industry, meaning niches are trending, and consumers are looking for brands that connect with their individuality. One particular area within the cannabis space that is also gaining recognition surrounds the representation of Indigenous peoples and their businesses. First Nations, Métis and Inuit involvement began at a low point when the Cannabis Act was initiated, leaving many to criticize the lack of council sought to discuss the avenues of legalization.
Years later, communications about sovereign land rights, financial aid programs, the Red Market, band-led businesses and Indigenous brands finally began breaking the barriers. As a result, many have witnessed the success of indigenous-led brands. But what qualifies a cannabis business as Indigenous? Is it something we can genuinely quantify?
Beyond branding in British Columbia
Currently, the BCLDB website features a list of precisely five LPs under the B.C. Indigenous Cannabis Product (BCICP) program, where cultivators and processes must have at least 51 per cent Indigenous ownership of facilities in British Columbia. This leaves to question how many are Indigenous-run but have not applied or qualified for this program. And what about retail locations? Grow teams? Or sales and marketing firms? All of those who contribute to economic growth, product preparation and jobs funnelling into the industry. Where can these operations be found featured in a comprehensive list?
So, I ask: how can we recognize and celebrate those who may employ the majority of Indigenous peoples? Or those who may not own 51 per cent of their brands but initiate internal practices that reflect traditional practices? And what about the licensed producers whose leadership and employees proudly own their indigeneity, even though their identity may not be predominantly present in their B2C branding?
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Follow the insights given by a mix of three LPs that represent indigeneity differently – some you might not know are owned by First Nations or Métis peoples.
The beginning of recognition
Allowing space for Indigenous voices to be heard, amplifying representation and pushing for inclusive policies is the beginning point to better the industry for the workers within the cannabis community. One perspective not spoken of too popularly is that of non-indigenous individuals or those lacking stereotypical identifiers;an instance of an identity crisis known too well by many biracial First Nations and Métis peoples.
It is important to be clear: not involving one’s indigeneity does not diminish or reduce one’s heritage nor require the explanation of a person, leadership or brand’s background to the public – we don’t owe anyone the justification of where we come from and why we do or do not include personal identity, especially around branding. But those who share this badge of honour can inspire others to take their own route in brand identity.
Alannah Davis, Métis CEO of Dabble Cannabis Co. in Cowachin Valley (processing & cultivation), addressed this, stating that one of the biggest challenges is embracing and representing Indigenous heritageauthentically. This involves balancing limited personal experience with a genuine desire to learn and honour family histories.
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Notions like this remind us that anyone can represent history despite the force used to remove them through decades of colonial impacts. Celebration and recognition of identity exist in as many forms as people do – indigeneity has become as individual as communal through relearning who we are. Past, present and future.
“Everyone carries the learned behaviours of their ancestors, and by being your authentic self –including your heritage to what degree feels right for you –and for us finding the grit and determination to make it through the challenges that being in this industry faces.” Words of great insight by Davis as she described the unique strengths Indigenous-owned brands can host.
Actions always speak louder
Identity cannot be evaluated like organic certification or what makes a flower ‘craft.’ It is incredibly layered and complex to define at the individual, communal and business levels. This was quickly decided for the BCICP program brand Jbuds Craft Cannabis, based out of Summerland (micro-cultivation & micro-processing).Master Grower Noah Johnson shared four pillars dear to the heart of their operations for empowerment and inclusion:
Sustainable practices: Emphasizing eco-friendly practices from water conservation to organic growing methods and sustainable packaging as a commitment to traditional practices.
Transparency & education: Two items many Indigenous peoples spotlight as key actions to make a difference in including and improving community and industry engagement.
Leadership development: Management training for employees to support Indigenous workers in advancing their careers and advancement in the company.
Flexible scheduling: Allowing and encouraging allocated time off for cultural events, like ceremonies and practicing traditions, to foster a professional environment that respects employees’ cultural identities.
With Jbuds, the brand’s values and mission align admirably with heritage, despite not publicly disclosing until now. “Even if not publicly emphasized, these actions demonstrate respect for cultural heritage, community well-being and the importance of providing meaningful opportunities for Indigenous people.”
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Combining craft and culture
The owners of the Oliver-based brand Pineapple Buds, Kyra Horvath and Laine Keyes, address influences on identity by explaining that their brand’s intended focus is on the sweet flavours of their product offerings with a ‘millennial twist’ rather than their Indigenous roots – at least for now. For many businesses like Pineapple Buds, there’s room for branding elements and messaging to spotlight their Indigenous background when there are more inclusive opportunities and in their next stages of development. “You shouldn’t have to have heritage at the forefront in order to be seen as an Indigenous brand,” says the pair at Pineapple Buds. They revealed that both customers and industry reach out to increase supportafter discovering they are an Indigenous brand. Ambiguous regulation standards also complicate the matter, leading some brands into communal and privatized avenues rather than those provided federally.
Recognition is reconciliation
Native’s loudness and pride come in all forms of acknowledgement for Indigenous heritage and backgrounds. And there seems to be no better time to emphasize celebrating these brands to bring awareness to their contributions, mission and values, regardless of what form acknowledgements of heritage may be.
Applaudable actions have been taken so that brands Indigenous and not can begin to support employees, businesses and communities by putting inclusive recognition and education at the forefront of initiatives. Lastly and quite simply, government programs and treaties are not the only definitions of what it means to be Indigenous.
Aly K. Benson (AKB) is a biracial Cree writer and strategist currently residing on the ancestral lands of the Syilx/Okanagan peoples.
In a year that will go down in history as one of the quietest for state-level marijuana market launches in the U.S., Ohio’s adult-use market stood out with the only launch of 2024. Ohio debuted its recreational cannabis market on August 6, making it the only state to unveil a new cannabis market in the U.S. this year. This marks a significant departure from a young industry that has gone through non-stop market expansion for more than 10 years.
Unfortunately, Ohio’s recreational marijuana market launch wasn’t as successful as previous launches. The state recorded a sales dip right after it launched its adult-use market, something that usually happens in the first year of sales, not the first month. Ohio registered $44.1 million worth of cannabis sales in the first week, followed by $43.1 million in the second week, $56.2 million in week three, and $48.0 million in the fourth week.
Cannabis has been the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. job market for several years, with several states launching new cannabis markets annually and raking in tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars from cannabis sales. However, the market’s constant expansion seems to have come to a halt.
There were three new recreational market launches and one medical cannabis launch in 2023 and 2024 saw the launch of just one market, Ohio’s recreational marijuana market. Ohio is now the 21st state in the U.S. to launch adult-use cannabis sales after Maryland launched its recreational market in July 2023 and Missouri in February 2023. With that, several more million Americans now have access to recreational cannabis.
The one year between the launch of Maryland’s adult-use cannabis market in mid-2023 and Ohio’s recent launch represents the longest period of zero launches since Americans first gained access to recreational marijuana in 2014. According to Marijuana Policy Project state policies director Karen O’Keefe, progress in the adult-use cannabis space has been held back by limited funding in the non-profit advocacy space.
According to O’Keefe, efforts to legalize cannabis in South Dakota, New Hampshire and Hawaii in 2024 would have had higher chances of success if the campaigns had ‘adequate resources.’ Georgia was the last state to launch a medical marijuana market in October 2023 and it seems 2024 will close with no new medical cannabis market launches.
In the meantime, states with cannabis markets, such as New York and Florida, are increasing their retail licenses significantly to cater to the large demand for cannabis. However, the New York Cannabis Advisory Board (CAB) recently recommended a cap on retail marijuana licenses to prevent market oversaturation and keep prices stable.
For companies like Verano Holdings Corp. (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF) that could be looking for new markets into which to expand, the slowing rate at which new markets are launched could narrow the options available.
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Quality Horticulture Ltd., a leading independent distributor of controlled environment agriculture equipment, lighting, fertilizers and grow media, today announced it has expanded its comprehensive distribution platform into the United States.
Recently celebrating its 25th successful year in business, Quality’s focus on adaptive innovation and growth means they are uniquely positioned to deliver their customers unmatched expertise, guidance, and support.
With the addition of an Ontario, California facility to their well-established eastern and western Canadian regional distribution hubs, Quality Horticulture brings over two and half decades of hands-on experience to meet the rising US demand for its premium brand portfolio.
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to support our partners in the US and bring a high level of service and expertise to the market,” says Alissa Russell, Director of Sales – Quality Horticulture. “Over the past 25 years, our customers have grown to expect cutting edge solutions and a highly efficient distribution system that meets and exceeds expectation.”
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Quality Horticulture is a leading independent distributor of controlled environment agriculture equipment, lighting, fertilizers and grow media. Featuring best in class brands including Eazy Plug, Grodan, Fluence, Dosatron, Netafim, MiiM Horticulture, Mondi Products, Lost Coast Plant Therapy, Eagle Protect, Aroya, General Hydroponics, Gavita, Botanicare, Mother Earth, and more, Quality delivers over 25 years of trusted, industry-leading, experience and strength.
Immerse yourself in Amsterdam’s infamous cannabis culture and the inclusive community at Dutch Love Cannabis stores.
Inspired by Amsterdam’s long standing liberal attitude towards cannabis and its pivotal role in reducing the stigma surrounding cannabis use, Dutch Love has built its brand on providing both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts with a warm, welcoming atmosphere to connect, ask questions, and access their favourite cannabis products.
“Dutch Love offers cannabis users an aesthetic, cosy, retro-esque environment to comfortably shop for both familiar and new products,” says CEO Gary Karbar. “Our goal is to create an engaging experience, cool vibes and a beautiful aesthetic where people can connect.”
Serving as a hotspot for those seeking a European-inspired, compassionate cannabis company, Dutch Love celebrates the human experience in all its forms.
“Dutch Love’s roots have always been planted in fostering a sense of culture and community,” adds Karbar. “We also strive to find and supply access to exceptional products while ensuring our customers enjoy a warm, welcoming service environment where they feel confident asking questions.”
The Breakfast Club: A new kind of ‘wake and bake’
Join the club and connect with the unique community at Dutch Love. Start your mornings off right – sign up for free online here.
“Our goal with the Breakfast Club has always been to ensure our most loyal customers are the first to know about what’s happening in our stores, sharing our amazing offerings and promotions, along with unique community events and experiences,” says Karbar.
“We have exciting changes coming up over the next few months, including the opening of new storefronts and expanding our craft cannabis collection. We want our members to come together and share something special.”
Learn more about Dutch Love online at dutch.love, and with storefronts across B.C., you can find a location near you online here. Enjoy free same-day delivery on orders of $30 or more at all locations.
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