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. Aurora fights mildew with new genetics

2. Climate concerns heat up cannabis cultivation

3. One billion rolling papers a year

Aurora fights mildew with new genetics

Aurora just cracked the code on one of the biggest headaches in the cannabis world: mildew.

Their scientists discovered a genetic marker called PM2 that makes plants naturally resistant to this costly plant disease that ruins harvests and drives up prices.

"This offers a critical solution to a pressing challenge worldwide," says Lana Culley, Aurora's VP of Innovation.

For growers, this breakthrough could mean fewer lost crops, lower production costs, and better quality products — all without needing chemical pesticides. Aurora plans to roll out these mildew-fighting plants commercially later this year.

Climate concerns heat up cannabis cultivation

Cannabis production now generates as much carbon as 10 million cars, according to a new study from researcher Evan Mills.

The climate impact comes mainly from indoor growing operations, which account for a whopping 90% of all cannabis emissions. But there's a simple fix — moving plants outdoors. Doing so could slash the industry's carbon footprint by up to 76%.

This shift isn't just good for the planet. Outdoor cultivation typically costs less too, giving operators a chance to boost both their environmental and financial bottom lines.

While federal legalization would only reduce emissions by about 8%, the biggest opportunity lies in transitioning to open-field cultivation.

One billion rolling papers a year

HARA Supply cranks out a staggering one billion pre-roll cones annually, making them the biggest player in the fast-growing pre-roll market.

CEO Bryan Gerber has noticed a significant shift in consumer preferences — people are moving away from large one-gram joints toward smaller, shareable multi-packs.

"The multi-pack is the new 30-rack of beer," says Gerber. "You show up with 14 small joints and everyone gets their own."

For cannabis entrepreneurs and executives, this shift creates several opportunities:

1. Multi-pack formats (0.25g-0.35g joints) are becoming the standard, replacing traditional one-gram joints

2. Premium features like ceramic or glass filter tips command higher margins

3. Micro-dosing appeals to both regular users and canna-curious newcomers

The key takeaway? The future of pre-rolls isn't bigger or stronger — it's about consistent, flavorful experiences in convenient multi-packs that improve social sharing while maintaining personal consumption preferences.

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

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