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. Most New Yorkers are choosing legal weed

2. Brittney Griner takes center stage at Cannabis Summit

3. Arkansas taps cannabis taxes for education funding

Most New Yorkers are choosing legal weed

New York's latest cannabis numbers reveal a game-changing shift: 67% of consumers are now buying from licensed stores despite higher prices. That's a major win for legal operators.

The winning strategy? Aggressive enforcement against unlicensed shops combined with a growing network of legal stores. Licensed retailers saw sales surge 105% after the state's crackdown on illegal operations.

For cannabis entrepreneurs: it's proof that well-regulated markets can win the price war against illegal competition.

Brittney Griner takes center stage at Cannabis Summit

WNBA star Brittney Griner will headline the Women Grow 2025 Leadership Summit on February 17th / 18th, marking her first major cannabis industry appearance since her release from Russian detention.

The Olympic gold medalist's keynote at the Maryland event signals a pivotal moment for cannabis advocacy. Her personal experience with international cannabis policy has thrust the conversation about legalization into the mainstream spotlight.

For cannabis brands, this presents a unique opportunity to engage with professional athletes on criminal justice reform while building authentic connections to mainstream sports. This strategy could accelerate the industry's path to widespread acceptance.

Arkansas taps cannabis taxes for education funding

Arkansas is showing how cannabis can fuel social good.

• Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders plans to use the state's medical cannabis tax revenue — a hefty $28.5 million in 2024 — to fund free school meals

• The move could create a blueprint for other states looking to win public support for cannabis expansion

With over 109,000 medical cannabis patients and $250 million in sales through November 2024, Arkansas proves that linking cannabis revenue to education can create sustainable funding streams while building goodwill. It's a smart play that could help reshape the industry's public image.

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

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