Andrew Ward - Benzinga

Articles by Andrew Ward

How Many States Will Legalize Cannabis On Election Night 2022?

How Many States Will Legalize Cannabis On Election Night 2022?

Markets may be down, but cannabis optimism remains high heading into election season. With five states determining adult use legislation this November, another Green Wave could soon sweep the United States. The potential green wave brings ample business opportunities, legal cannabis sales and the end to cannabis criminalization in legalized jurisdictions.

Mostly Tricks, Few Treats For Pot Stocks in 2022

Mostly Tricks, Few Treats For Pot Stocks in 2022

Halloween is prime spooky season, but for most investors, all of 2022 has been quite scary. Stocks across the board have taken substantial hits this year, with cannabis particularly affected. Cannabis' surging pandemic performances have been dashed mostly. Now, Fed uncertainty looms while profitability continues to elude most operators, from MSOs to the ancillary market.

Why Do Medical Cannabis And Gun Ownership Rights Conflict So Often?

Why Do Medical Cannabis And Gun Ownership Rights Conflict So Often?

Roughly 33% of US adults report owning a gun, according to a 2021 Georgetown University firearms survey.

What Do Pets And Weddings Have In Common? It's Weed! A Look At An Interesting Trend

What Do Pets And Weddings Have In Common? It's Weed! A Look At An Interesting Trend

Marijuana themes are proving to be popular in two particular areas — pets and weddings. Benzinga spoke with several business operators who say incorporating cannabis into their offerings has only bolstered business.

Where Do Weed Taxes Go? Health, Safety, Education Or Social Equity? The Answer Varies Depending On Where You Are

Where Do Weed Taxes Go? Health, Safety, Education Or Social Equity? The Answer Varies Depending On Where You Are

Original publication: October 12, 2020. Due to the ongoing U.S. federal prohibition of cannabis, states must implement their own regulations and various excise and sales taxes. Excise taxes in many Western U.S. states tend to hover 15% while others, like Washington, charge 37%.

THC And CBD Are Just The Tip Of A Massive Iceberg: Why Are Other Cannabinoids Piquing Market Interest?

THC And CBD Are Just The Tip Of A Massive Iceberg: Why Are Other Cannabinoids Piquing Market Interest?

When it comes to cannabis compounds, THC and CBD are just the tip of a massive iceberg. Hundreds of compounds go into a plant strain, and many are now being tapped for their healing potential. While some are hitting shelves now, insiders believe the boom will occur sometime down the line.

Do Any States Face The Risk Of A Dominant Cannabis Market Operator?

Do Any States Face The Risk Of A Dominant Cannabis Market Operator?

Is the American cannabis sector facing the prospect of just a few players dominating the market? While worries abound in some corners of the space, sources say that is not the current case.

Are Cannabis Companies Paying Their Contractors?

Are Cannabis Companies Paying Their Contractors?

Fully 36% of the American workforce freelanced in 2021, according to Upwork's 2021 Freelance Forward report, and they generated $1.3 trillion for the economy, a $100 million increase from 2020.

With More Cannabis Industry Layoffs Likely, What Can You Do To Stay Employed?

With More Cannabis Industry Layoffs Likely, What Can You Do To Stay Employed?

With layoffs affecting the national workforce, cannabis staffing leaders forecast that more dismissals are expected in the sector over the next few months.

What Might Cannabis Companies Lose When Cutting DEI As A Cost-Cutting Maneuver?

What Might Cannabis Companies Lose When Cutting DEI As A Cost-Cutting Maneuver?

Like any industry, scores of cannabis companies face difficult decisions as the market trends down. In many cases, roles are reduced or made redundant, as evidenced by the ongoing wave of cannabis layoffs announced in recent months.

Will Cannabis Entrepreneurs Switch To Psychedelics?

Will Cannabis Entrepreneurs Switch To Psychedelics?

The psychedelics space is heating up, and major players have taken notice.

Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos & Richard Branson: Which Billionaire Will Bring The Space Race Ethos To The Cannabis Industry?

Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos & Richard Branson: Which Billionaire Will Bring The Space Race Ethos To The Cannabis Industry?

As billionaires like Elon Musk,

Germany's Adult Use Cannabis Laws Steeped In Optimism And Uncertainty At The Moment

Germany's Adult Use Cannabis Laws Steeped In Optimism And Uncertainty At The Moment

Luxembourg and Malta became the first two European nations to pass adult use can

Why Travel Expert Rick Steves Thinks Cannabis Reform Isn't Counterculture Any More: It Just 'Makes Sense'

Why Travel Expert Rick Steves Thinks Cannabis Reform Isn't Counterculture Any More: It Just 'Makes Sense'

Rick Steves is typically known for his travel expertise, but since 2012, he has also been a vocal proponent for adult use cannabis legalization. The host of "Rick Steves' Europe" considers himself to be a different type of spokesperson — as opposed to, say, Snoop Dog or Tommy Chong — who can take the fear out of cannabis.

Does The Cannabis Industry Pay A Living Wage? Depends On Who You Ask

Does The Cannabis Industry Pay A Living Wage? Depends On Who You Ask

Cannabis professionals are divided over whether the industry is paying a living wage. With a range of points to consider, opinions are formed by various market metrics. From base salary to cost of living to P&L sheets, sources made cases for both sides of the argument. Like much of cannabis, the answer remains far from definitive at this time.

EXCLUSIVE - Why Wrestler Rob Van Dam Became A Cannabis Advocate, Patient And Entrepreneur: 'I'm Glad To Help Spread The Education'

EXCLUSIVE - Why Wrestler Rob Van Dam Became A Cannabis Advocate, Patient And Entrepreneur: 'I'm Glad To Help Spread The Education'

Rob Van Dam is a modern-day legend in professional wrestling and cannabis advocacy. He's regarded as one of wrestling's innovators, normalizing death-defying dives combined with martial arts.

RICO Charges: Once Reserved For The Mafia Now A Familiar Anti-Cannabis Industry Tactic

RICO Charges: Once Reserved For The Mafia Now A Familiar Anti-Cannabis Industry Tactic

Charges stemming from the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act have long been a looming threat in the cannabis industry. Coming from civil, state and federal levels, the charges have been used as a method to stymie cannabis operations, whether just or not.

With Trademark Infringement A Common Issue In Cannabis, Are Cease And Desist Orders Effective?

With Trademark Infringement A Common Issue In Cannabis, Are Cease And Desist Orders Effective?

Cease and desist (C&D) orders are relatively common in business. The nascent cannabis market is no exception. As the weed space steps into the legal mainstream market, its operators contend with various C&D orders from companies and regulators.

Psychedelic Treatments Vary Greatly By Cost And Setting, What About Efficacy?

Psychedelic Treatments Vary Greatly By Cost And Setting, What About Efficacy?

Psychedelic therapy is on the rise. June 2022 data from Data Bridge Market Research reports that the US psychedelic drug market could be valued at $9.8 billion by 2029, with a nearly 17% CAGR.

The (Possibly) Best and Worst Countries To Get Caught With Pot

The (Possibly) Best and Worst Countries To Get Caught With Pot

Returning to world travel and current events has recently brought cannabis travel back into the spotlight. People are traveling again despite ongoing COVID-19 worries and increasing Moneypox cases.