MJBizMag January 2023 - 8

FROM THE EDITOR Kate Lavin
Plan for Success in 2023
Several states will launch new marijuana markets this year,
but the rules are not one size fits all
C
annabis entrepreneurs'
biggest complaints are
typically the ever-changing
regulations in each state and how
different those rules can be from
one market to the next.
New York State Cannabis Control
Board Chair Tremaine Wright, who
appears on the cover of this issue,
summed up the situation while
speaking about areas with emerging
marijuana markets: " Everybody's
still in development. We're
still learning. But I think there are
some common threads. Across the
board, we're seeing a focus on
equity, and we are each taking our
own path. "
The paths to social equity for
states with incoming marijuana
markets run the gamut from New
York-where more than two dozen
adult-use retail licenses were
awarded to individuals who have
marijuana-related convictions
or a family member with such a
record-to Alabama, where zero social
equity initiatives are associated with
medical marijuana legalization.
With some form of marijuana
now legal in 39 states, it is surprising
that regulators continue to
reinvent the wheel every time a
new market is brought on board.
But as Wright said, we're still learning.
And one of these times, we're
bound to get it right.
Know the Rules
One way to get it right is to
become familiar with the
regulations in any area you are
considering doing business-and
8 January 2023 | MJBizMagazine
Those entrepreneurs who are
One way to get it
right is to become
familiar with the
regulations in
any area you are
considering doing
business-and
recognize when
those regulations
are not a good fit.
recognize when those regulations
are not a good fit.
In Alabama, for example, prospective
entrepreneurs will face
an uphill battle to get a medical
marijuana business license. And
the problem is not just the lack of
social equity provisions (although
that is certainly a factor).
Cannabis licensing experts
say the application to compete
for a cannabis business license
in Alabama is enough to scare
away most applicants. For one
thing, it must be hand-delivered.
Additionally, proof of real estate
authorization must be included in
the application, even though there
is no guarantee that applicants
will win a license-much less start
conducting business in 2023.
successful at winning a marijuana
business license in Alabama will
find the number of products they
can sell severely curtailed: Flower,
vapes and edibles are prohibited.
Setting Up Shop
Neighboring Mississippi, meanwhile,
enacted a surprisingly businessfriendly
medical marijuana law,
under which an MMJ market could
launch as soon as this month.
Plus, there are no license caps or
prohibited products.
Other upcoming markets included
in " Year of Opportunity, " the cover
story starting on page 26, include
Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri
and Rhode Island-all of which will
debut adult-use marijuana markets
or build upon the early days of sales.
In these pages, MJBizMagazine
Senior Writer Omar Sacirbey outlines
the regulations, timelines and
opportunities for those looking
to enter some of North America's
newest marijuana markets. He
offers valuable information from
local sources about what it takes to
apply-and succeed-in 2023.
Until next time, we wish you a
happy new year and happy reading.
Kate Lavin is the editor
of MJBizMagazine. Reach
her at kate.lavin@
mjbizdaily.com.
MJBizMag January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MJBizMag January 2023
