Do cannabis brands need a PR strategy (even when there’s no crisis)?

A combination of regulatory hurdles, limited market options, and the unique risks associated with the industry has made it challenging for cannabis companies in Michigan to secure comprehensive and affordable insurance coverage. Dykema’s Cannabis Industry group leader Lance Boldrey sits down with Peter Vredeveld of OVD Insurance to discuss what licensees can do to navigate market trends and regulatory hurdles to minimize their costs and properly insure their business.

We'll talk a little bit about those industry trends. We'll talk a little bit about Michigan's cannabis regulatory agency and some of the positions they've been taking. And then briefly about some of the federal changes that may be occurring and what might be happening there.

Find more on Lance here.

Find more on Peter and OVD Insurance here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

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When you’re a cannabis operator dealing with an issue that could impact your reputation, your first call should be to your attorney (trust us). Your second call? Your PR team. But public relations goes way beyond crisis management—for cannabis companies looking to scale up and establish their presence in the marketplace, it’s an essential business consideration.

Brett Gelbord sits down with Ricarco Baca—founder and CEO of Grasslands—to discuss the dynamic world of cannabis PR and what operators need to know about building a brand and navigating the media landscape.

Find more on Brett here.

Find more on Ricardo and Grasslands here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

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From a spike in M&A activity, to a potentially rescheduling, to more states jumping on the legalization train, 2023 was a year of change and unpredictability in the cannabis industry. As operators scale up production and regulations continue to pass, what can we expect in 2024? John Fraser and Lance Boldrey break out the crystal ball.

Find more on John here.

Find more on Lance here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

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On November 7th, Ohio voters took to the polls and overwhelmingly voted in favor of a ballot initiative that will make it the 20th state to legalize adult recreational cannabis. Before it goes into effect on December 7th, it’s important to read the fine print and determine exactly what this bill allows, how it will impact the consumer marketplace (if at all), and the implications it could have on federal policy. John Fraser, Michigan Leader of Dykema’s Cannabis group, breaks it all down in the latest episode of A Higher Law.

Find more on John here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

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You’ve probably heard of PFAS: those harmful “forever chemicals” you can find in non-stick cookware, cleaning products, and even drinking water. As the dangers of PFAS become more evident, regulatory focus has expanded to a wide range of consumer products—including cannabis. Dykema’s Environmental Practice group leader Grant Gilezan sits down with Bill Henderson of Darcy Environmental Consultants to discuss what this means for the industry moving forward.

Find more on Grant here.

Find more on Bill and Darcy Environmental here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

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Learn more about Dykema’s cannabis group.

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As the cannabis companies continue to operate under a patchwork of state-level legality, any developments at the federal level will have a significant impact on the industry.

On this episode of A Higher Law, Mark Chutkow and Jennifer Beidel—former federal prosecutors and members of Dykema’s Government Investigations and Corporate Compliance group—discuss the evolving policies and enforcement status over the last three administrations, and how these changes can impact investor confidence, market dynamics, and industry expansion.

Find more on Mark here.

Find more on Jennifer here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to Dykema’s Cannabis Law Blog.

Learn more about Dykema’s cannabis group.

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A recent recommendation from U.S. health officials could move marijuana from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III substance before the end of the year. Perhaps the biggest impact of this move would be on the way cannabis businesses are taxed, as they’d no longer be subject to Internal Revenue Code 280E (IRC 280E). Lance Boldrey (leader of Dykema’s Cannabis group) and John Fraser (Michigan Team Leader of Dykema’s Cannabis group) are joined by Scott Kociensk of Dykema’s Federal Tax group to discuss the implications this could unlock for the industry.  

Find more on Lance here.

Find more on John here.

Find more on Scott here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to Dykema’s Cannabis Law Blog

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Every link in the cannabis supply chain faces unique challenges that can complicate planning and potentially impact margins. From breeders to consumers, there can be critical regulatory challenges and compliance hurdles to consider.

Host Brett Gelbord, together with colleagues Laura Baucus and Lisa Brown of Dykema’s Automotive Supply Chain group, sits down with Nathan Russell and Ben Richards of AE Global to discuss supply chain dynamics in the cannabis industry. 

Find more on Brett here.

Find more on Laura here.

Find more on Lisa here.

Find more on AE Global here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to Dykema’s Cannabis Law Blog

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In a first-of-its-kind decision, a Michigan-based cannabis business was recognized as an agricultural operation. A potential milestone for the industry, this ruling sheds light on the legal classification of cannabis cultivation and its eligibility for agricultural tax-related benefits. Dykema’s Carl Rashid, Jr. and Mark Magyar discuss how they brought this pivotal victory to their client, and the implications it could have on the cannabis industry moving forward.

Find more on Carl here.

Find more on Mark here.

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to Dykema’s Cannabis Law Blog

Learn more about Dykema’s cannabis group

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Since the first city ordinance was passed banning cannabis in El Paso in 1915, the legal landscape of cannabis use in Texas has evolved at a different rate than the rest of the country. Where do things stand today in the Lone Star State? Denise Mayfield and Antonio Cifuentes dive in.

Find more on Denise here

Find more on Antonio here

To hear more episodes, visit DykemaPodcast.com, our YouTube page, or search “A Higher Law” wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to Dykema’s Cannabis Law Blog

Learn more about Dykema’s cannabis group

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