The Weekly Dose: News From The Cannabis Industry For The Week Ending July 3rd

Cannabis Legalization

Michigan's Michael Thompson, Still In Jail 26 Years After Selling Weed In Legal State

The Bluntness stands with The Last Prisoner Project in calling for the freedom of Michael Thompson, a man who sold three pounds of cannabis 26 years ago and is still in a Michigan jail. The state legalized recreational cannabis sales in December, 2019 making his continued incarceration all the more egregious. Watch his story and learn how you can help his fight for freedom.

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Virginia Just Decriminalized Marijuana This Week. Here’s What That Really Means

Virginia is Definitely for Lovers as the State's New Decriminalization Law Went into Effect on July1st

As of July 1st, the maximum penalty for people caught with an ounce or less of marijuana in Virginia has been reduced to a $25 civil fine. The law also includes protections aimed at lessening the lingering impact of past and future convictions for simple possession. But, the devil is in the details so be sure to read what the law really means on The Bluntness.

Cannabis Industry

Aurora Cannabis Co-Founder Is Out

Terry Booth, a co-founder of the Canada-based Aurora Cannabis, stepped down from the Board of Directors effective June 26th. This is the second major shake-up at Aurora in the last ten days as the company announced on June 23rd that it planned to cut 25% of its selling, general and administrative staff, while reducing production staff by 30% over the next two quarters.

Cannabis Culture

5 LGBTQ Influencers In Cannabis

To close out this PRIDE month, The Bluntness celebrated 5 LGBTQ influencers in cannabis culture: Dennis Peron, Josh Drayton, Andrew Modlin, Laganja Estranja and Isamarie Pérez. From a legendary cannabis entrepreneur, to drag queen, to effective voices for justice, each of this pioneers has fought bravely for LGBTQ rights and equality in the cannabis world.

Khadijah Tribble Talks About BLM's Effect On Cannabis Industry

Khadijah Tribble, the founder Marijuana Matters and co-founder of Marijuana Policy Trust, a collective aimed to build inclusiveness and diversity within the industry, discussed how the BLM movement has given the cannabis industry an opportunity to find another way to do good in the community.  According to Tribble, the movement has opened a door for companies to work with the community and respond accordingly to the wants and needs of the movement.

Cannabis Exclusives

A Brief History of Marijuana in Popular Music, With Videos From Dr. Dre, Peter Tosh, & More

No Matter the Genre, Marijuana and Music Have Always Had a Special Relationship Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

That marijuana has a pleasurable effect both on the making and enjoying of music is hardly a controversial point. This week, The Bluntness took a quick tour through several distinct types of music and the significance cannabis has held within each of them. Check out the story on The Bluntness and be sure to watch some incredible music videos we added just for you.

Chil Debuts Chil Mixers With The Help Of UNA MAS Cocktails

Earlier this week, California company Chil introduced Chil Mixers, a new cannabis edible, by teaming up with expert mixologist Conrad K. Pratt of UNA MÁS Cocktails. Available now in select California cannabis dispensaries, Chil Mixers can be used with any drink - hot or cold - so you can customize your Chil experience any way you like.

Happy 4th of July from your friends at The Bluntness!! Stay safe and be well. Together, we will get through this.