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🌿 Best U.S. cities for cannabis travel, Organigram unveils global rebrand, and Springbig snaps up VICE CRM

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: best U.S. cities for cannabis travel, Organigram unveils global rebrand, Springbig snaps up VICE CRM, and more. Let’s get to it.

Author

Alex Lipnik
March 28, 2025

together with

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:

  • Best U.S. cities for cannabis travel

  • Organigram unveils global rebrand

  • Springbig snaps up VICE CRM

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL
Travel

Source: Upgraded Points

Canna-cation. Travel company Upgraded Points recently revealed its list of the best cities in the United States for cannabis travel.

While they ranked fifty total cities, the top 10 were:

  1. Denver, Colorado

  2. Portland, Oregon

  3. Boulder, Colorado

  4. Missoula, Montana

  5. Burlington, Vermont

  6. Portland, Maine

  7. Eugene, Oregon

  8. Ann Arbor, Michigan

  9. Las Vegas, Nevada

  10. Seattle, Washington

"Cannabis travelers are looking for an atmosphere where relaxation, adventure, and good vibes go hand in hand. With more states legalizing recreational marijuana, Upgraded Points updated its 2022 report to take a fresh look at the best destinations for a cannabis vacation. From dispensary density to the cost of cannabis in general, we're hoping to help you plan the ultimate 'canna-cation.'"

Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points

The cities were selected using updated data from U.S. News & World Report and the U.S. Census Bureau in states with legalized recreational cannabis. Cities were then evaluated on 10 key factors related to cannabis tourism.

The list also carved out the top destinations in states that have legalized cannabis within the last 5 years.

Business

Source: Organigram Global

Allow me to reintroduce myself. Canadian cannabis producer Organigram unveiled a new name and brand identity this week. The company reintroduced itself as Organigram Global — with shareholder approval — marking a massive evolution in the brand’s positioning from a Canada-based brand to international cannabis player.

“As Organigram has grown from its roots in Atlantic Canada to become a global player, our identity needed to evolve alongside our business. We’re not just a Canadian success story—we are a global cannabis innovator, exporting premium products, expanding into international markets, and shaping the future of the cannabis industry. Our new brand identity is a powerful reflection of who we are today.”

Beena Goldenberg, CEO of Organigram Global

The rebrand includes a new logo, a refreshed visual identity, and a new website. The name still requires regulatory approvals, including that of the Toronto Stock Exchange, which has already conditionally approved it subject to all requirements of the TSX being fulfilled.

Tech

CannAcquire. Cannabis loyalty marketing and communications technology provider Springbig announced it has acquired VICE CRM, an AI-enabled performance marketing platform for highly regulated industries.

As part of the deal, VICE CRM founder Jaret Christopher has been named Chief Executive Officer, replacing current CEO and Springbig founder Jeffrey Harris. Christopher was most recently General Manager and Vice President, CRM Software at Weedmaps after they bought the company the marketing software company Sprout CRM he founded.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Kentucky: Governor Andy Beshear signed a bill to establish a regulatory framework cannabis beverages; the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will now be in charge of regulating the industry.

Maryland: The cannabis tax rate is set to rise from 9% to 12%, raising an additional estimated $39 million in tax revenue.

Utah: Results from a new survey found 52% of voters would support a ballot initiative to legalize recreational cannabis.

Virginia: Governor Glenn Youngkin has once again vetoed legislation to legalize recreational cannabis.

💼 BUSINESS

Entourage Health plans to go private

The producer and distributer of cannabis products received shareholder approval for the transaction.

🤝 DEALS

Talaria Transportation takes Eagle Eyes Transportation

The cannabis logistics provider expanded into Massachusetts through the acquisition of its fellow transportation company.

🌏 AROUND THE WORLD

France: An administrative filing was sent to the European Commission outlining regulations for the proposed legalization of medical cannabis.

💨 QUICK HITTERS

  • Medical cannabis companies spent at least $1.6 million lobbying for legalization in Pennsylvania.

  • Vertosa appointed cannabis beverage veteran Diana Eberlein to the role of Chief External Affairs Officer.

  • The findings of research out of Atlanta suggest that cannabis decriminalization led to a reduction in violent crime.

  • CULTA CEO Allison Siegel stepped down from her position at the Maryland-based cannabis operator.

  • California cannabis brand Solful launched a wholesale division in partnership with cannabis distribution platform Nabis.

  • The U.S. Hemp Roundtable partnered with age verification software company BlueCheck to streamline compliance for hemp and CBD businesses.

  • Santa Barbara County voted to mandate odor control systems for every cannabis greenhouse.

  • The DEA promoted an “Anti-420 Day” campaign from an anti-cannabis organization.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Growing weed takes more energy than mining bitcoin. Can it go green? (The Washington Post)

  • Five ways cannabis can contribute to a green future (The Conversation)

  • These women say smoking weed makes them better moms (CNN)

  • New CEO aims to transform Safe Harbor from cannabis lending to fintech (MJBizDaily)

  • Plummeting pot prices have Mass. cannabis businesses on edge (WBUR)

  • Reschedule cannabis and align federal law with reality (Detroit News)

  • Ohio cannabis advocates say state lawmakers aren’t listening to them (WOUB)

  • Opinion: Cannabis has changed. So must its legal classification. (Portland Press Herald)

  • Lavender, citrus and candy: Weed's signature aroma changes with the times (NPR)

  • The Marijuana Laffer Curve (Wall Street Journal)

🎙️ POTCASTS
📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
🗓 UPCOMING EVENTS

April 29 — 30: The International Cannabis Business Conference, Europe’s largest B2B cannabis conference, is being held in Berlin.

🔎 JOB BOARD

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💚,

The Pre Roll Team

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