In this powerful speech, industry leader Ben Larson critiques California’s restrictive cannabis policies and calls for smarter, more inclusive legalization that protects access to both regulated cannabis and innovative hemp-derived products.
Last week, at the newly minted IgniteIt (formerly Benzinga Cannabis) California Market Spotlight, I was invited to read a letter I had written to Gavin Newsom before his signing of AB 8, the recent hemp legislation in California.
In a moment of inspiration, I decided to set that letter aside and prepare my thoughts for the room instead—operators, service providers, regulators, and organizations shaping the California cannabis market.
This is what I said:
California.
What the hell?
The fourth-largest economy in the world.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley and avoiders of The Innovator’s Dilemma.
Once the largest, most promising cannabis market in the world.
A state that built its identity on innovation, risk-taking, and rebellion is now chasing its entrepreneurs and innovators out of state.
Including this one right here.
We’ve become defenders of the status quo.
A state, an industry, more interested in protecting profits and bureaucracy than building the future.
And I say that as someone who loves this state dearly.
Born in the Bay. Raised in Sacramento. Schooled in San Luis Obispo. Raising my family in Walnut Creek. And now building and scaling what is my third business in Berkeley.
But I’ve had enough.
I’ve seen a lot of celebrating online lately—from CaCOA, from licensed operators—about AB 564, AB 8, and SB 378.
Look, I know a lot of work went into these efforts from good, well-intentioned people.
But I’m left wondering… what exactly are we celebrating?
AB 564 was lauded as avoiding an existential threat.
But hasn’t that threat existed all along?
Doesn’t it still exist?
If losing four …
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Author: High Times Contributors / High Times
