Welcome to Rise & Roll, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps you smart, savvy, and always in the loop on the latest in cannabis.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

1. New York connects cannabis firms with banks

2. NFL star tackles pre- roll market with innovation

3. NY pushes profit sharing for cannabis biz

New York connects cannabis firms with banks

New York recently made banking easier for cannabis businesses with their new Cannabis Banking Directory.

The program connects licensed operators with 10 banks and credit unions willing to work with cannabis operators.

Most cannabis businesses struggle with basic financial services, often dealing with mountains of cash that create security risks and operational headaches.

This directory eliminates hours of bank rejections for NY operators, letting you focus on what matters — growing your business, not managing cash.

NFL star tackles pre-roll market

Ricky Williams' cannabis brand Highsman just launched HIT STICKS, a single-use pre-roll product that's changing the game in Massachusetts.

This innovative design features a ceramic bowl and cardboard mouthpiece, offering consistent hits on the go. Available in three varieties — solventless rosin-infused, distillate-infused, and premium flower — these portable powerhouses pack up to 50% THC.

With the pre-roll market projected to hit $4B by 2025 and consumers increasingly favoring premium and infused options, Williams is perfectly positioned to score big. As he puts it, sports fans no longer need to "struggle with a limp joint while tailgating in the rain."

NY pushes profit sharing for cannabis biz

New York wants cannabis companies to put their money where their mouth is. A new bill would require all licensed operators to invest 2% of annual profits back into communities hit hardest by prohibition.

• The Cannabis Community Reinvestment Act forces businesses to submit detailed plans showing exactly how they'll support these neighborhoods.

• While supporters say it finally delivers on legalization's promises, critics argue it adds another hurdle for struggling businesses.

If passed, expect similar requirements to pop up in other states.

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We’ll be back with another edition on Tuesday. See you then!

To stay up-to-date on cannabis news, visit us at riseandroll.news.