🌿 London mayor backs decriminalization plan, Distru launches wholesale platform, and Indigenous communities are active in cannabis

Happy Friday Pre Rollers! Welcome to another edition of The Pre Roll, the cannabis newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the industry happenings you need to know.

Here’s what we’re rolling up this week:

• London mayor backs decriminalization plan

• Distru launches wholesale platform

• Indigenous communities are active in cannabis

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL

Policy

Eye on London. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, is backing a call for cannabis decriminalization. He says there is “a compelling, evidence-based case" for making the move that would allow for the possession of small quantities of cannabis.

His support is based on a report from the London Drugs Commission, chaired by Lord Falconer, former Labour Justice Secretary under Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Under the new policy, if implemented, dealing of cannabis would still be considered a criminal offense.

Tech

Wholesale pricing. Cannabis ERP platform Distru announced the launch of DistruCommerce, a standalone flat-fee wholesale platform empowering cannabis brands and distributors to sell directly to retailers. It provides an embeddable, white-label storefront that integrates with accounting and track-and-trace software.

The news comes on the heels of apparent price increases from cannabis wholesale platform LeafLink that has led operators to ditch the platform, competitors to pitch their products, and consultants to recommend alternatives. Distru COO, Azam Khan, said operators have been asking for a transparent wholesale solution that doesn’t squeeze already tight margins.

The company closed $6 million in Series A funding in November of last year, which was set to be used to expand Distru's suite of products and enhance compliance, inventory, integration, and order management capabilities.

Business

On the map. More than one in four (26%) of the 358 Indigenous communities in the continental U.S. are involved with cannabis or hemp programs.

The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, in collaboration with leading cannabis law firm Vicente LLP, is giving a comprehensive look into the state of Indigenous cannabis enterprises with a new map of Tribal-led cannabis and hemp programs. The first-of-its-kind map was developed by Vicente LLP’s Director of Economics & Market Analysis Andrew Livingston and ICIA Executive Director Mary Jane Oatman through research and interviews with Tribal leaders.

Since the first regulated Indigenous cannabis storefront opened almost 10 years ago in Washington state, sovereign Indigenous communities throughout the United States have created their own regulatory systems to govern the cultivation, production, and sales of cannabis.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

New York: The Cannabis Control Board approved 52 new adult-use cannabis licenses, bringing the total to 1,726 with 377 legal dispensaries open for business.

Ohio: Republican lawmakers are working to pass comprehensive cannabis restrictions by the end of June, including limits on THC content and home grow.

Utah: The state has surpassed 100,000 registered medical cannabis cardholders, a new record for the program.

💼 BUSINESS

4Front requests receivership

The vertically integrated multi-state cannabis company revealed it voluntarily asked for a court-appointed receiver to oversee operations for all of its subsidiaries amidst ongoing financial struggles.

TOGETHER WITH CRESCENT CANNA

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The THC beverage market is booming, and Crescent Canna is leading the industry with a diverse portfolio of beverages, including THC seltzers, sodas, energy drinks, and still water, that are federally legal and available all across the country.

Providing delightful effects in 15 minutes, Crescent Canna’s THC drinks are perfect for people looking for a fun and social alternative to alcohol.

The company’s best-selling beverage line, Crescent 9 THC Seltzer, won more than 20 awards in 2024 and has received thousands of 5-star reviews from customers nationwide. Available in five highly refreshing flavors and in potencies ranging from 5 mg to 50 mg of THC per can, Crescent 9 delivers an uplifting cannabis experience for both new fans and connoisseurs alike.

Crescent 9 is sold in more than 5,000 locations across the country, as well as online at crescentcanna.com, with an exclusive deal for The Pre Roll readers: Get $15 off your order with code PREROLL15.

🤝 DEALS

Greenlane inks distribution agreement with Greentank Technologies

The platform for premium accessories, packaging, vape solutions, and lifestyle products will leverage its established sales, marketing, B2B, and B2C channels to become a major distributor of products in U.S. for the cannabis aerosolization technology innovator.

💻 TECH

StrainBrain puts new proprietary AI models in place

The company, whose flagship AI Budtender product recommendation and discovery tool helps dispensaries increase revenue, conversion rates, and customer loyalty by delivering highly accurate, science-based recommendations, introduced the new models which recognize user intent, learn from industry interactions, and can recommend every product that dispensaries offer.

💨 QUICK HITTERS

• Candy maker Haribo recalled packages of its cola gummies in the Netherlands after traces of cannabis were found, following reports of dizziness from consumers.

• City council members in Portland, Maine amended local regulations to permit cannabis retailers to sell non-alcoholic beverages on-site.

• Curaleaf International is bringing a range of medical cannabis products to Australia

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

• Punitive taxes are killing the legal cannabis industry (National Post)

• Pa. senators try to reboot marijuana legalization push with new ideas for oversight (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

• Staff at NY cannabis regulatory agency urge lawmakers to oust top leadership (Crain’s New York Business)

• Craft brewers seeking to cash in on hemp-derived THC beverage market (MJBizDaily)

• If California’s Marijuana Tax Hike Takes Effect Next Month, Consumers And Businesses Will Suffer—But There’s A Solution (Op-Ed) (Marijuana Moment)

• The huge increase in Brits caught smuggling cannabis out of Thailand (The Independent)

🎙️ POTCASTS

• Why C-Stores Could Shape the Future of Cannabis & Hemp Beverages (High Spirits)

🔎 JOB BOARD

• Director, Government Affairs

  • Green Thumb Industries

  • $160,000—$190,000

• Customer Success Manager

  • LeafLink

  • $75,000—$100,000

• Center for Medical Cannabis Research Director

  • University of Utah

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Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

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