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Hello everyone! Patricio Liddle writing today. I’m exited to bring you the latest updates on cannabis reform, tech innovations, and the evolving state landscape. Let’s dive in!

VP Kamala Harris Discusses Cannabis For First Time As Presidential Candidate

As we wrote yesterday with Nico, cannabis reform emerges as a fiery battleground in the presidential race. VP Kamala Harris, speaking on the "All the Smoke" podcast, openly advocated for legalization. Hopefully, when she says that we "need to legalize," she means fully removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, not just rescheduling it on the list—which the DEA has been dragging its feet on for some time.

On the other side, leaked memos from the Trump campaign reveal JD Vance's anti-legalization stance as a "notable vulnerability" in the electoral arena. With both parties in favor of cannabis reform, it is the first time that conservative views on the issue have been pushed out of the spotlight in a presidential campaign.

PRESENTED BY DUTCHIE

Dutchie 2.0 is Modernizing Cannabis Retail with Personalization and AI

Introducing Dutchie 2.0, Dutchie’s biggest release ever. This transformative update is focused on modernizing cannabis retail with Personalization and AI across Point of Sale, E-commerce, and Loyalty & Marketing. Major upgrades include a new 360’ reporting engine, digital payments powered by Plaid, and customer segmentation and insights from online to in-store at the register and kiosk. Visit business.dutchie.com for more information.

AI-Driven Cannabis Retail? 

Speaking about the launch of Dutchie 2.0, Javier Hasse details how the platform is tackling the cannabis industry's most persistent pain points. Dutchie CEO Tim Barash emphasizes the importance of customer-centric innovation, using AI to enhance personalization and operational efficiency in cannabis retail. Check out Javier’s full story on how technology is driving evolution in the cannabis market.

Arkansas' Ballot Initiative Smoked, 2,664 Signatures Away

Switching gears to the state regulatory landscape, Arkansas' effort to expand its medical marijuana program fell short by 2,664 signatures, preventing it from qualifying for the November ballot. Arkansans for Patient Access, the group behind the effort, disputes the exclusion of valid signatures over a canvasser certification issue and is preparing for a legal battle that could involve the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Newsom Says Yes to Cafes, No to Farmers

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill enabling the operation of Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes. These establishments will be allowed to serve food and host events, potentially revolutionizing the cannabis consumption experience akin to those found in the Netherlands. However, Newsom vetoed a separate bill that would have permitted small farmers to sell products directly to consumers at cannabis events, citing concerns about regulatory strain and market impact.

Lately, it seems Newsom’s priorities for the cannabis and hemp industry are clear—unless you operate a café, don’t expect much relief.

Stories In The Spotlight:

• Pennsylvania Police Arrest 32 People A Day For Cannabis Possession - More Than Any Other State

• How Will California's Hemp Restrictions Change The Cannabis Market: 'There Is A Risk Of This Activity Flooding The US' Says Expert

• Pharma Company Gets FDA Green Light For Next Phase Trial For Tourette Syndrome

• Medical Cannabis Giant Trulieve Partners With Black Buddha To Launch New Marijuana Flower Lines In Arizona And Pennsylvania

• Billion-Dollar Cannabis Giant Tilray To Report Earnings, Here's What Investors Can Expect

Our Writer Today

Patricio is a development economist with extensive experience in IT, finance, and banking. He writes about the economic and social opportunities obscured by over fifty years of drug prohibition. Beyond his professional expertise, Patricio is a committed advocate for social change, passionately working to promote harm reduction and reform drug policies.

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