Hallo, ik ben Renz Verspaget, ik ben een betrouwbare administratief medewerker in de gezondheidszorg met 4,5 jaar ervaring met patiëntendossiers, medische facturering, werkschema's van ziekenhuizen en gezondheidszorgbeleid. Ziekenhuiskosten met 13% verlaagd door nieuwe factureringsmethoden te implementeren.
A study published in Nature Food earlier this week (Monday, Nov 14th) has concluded that cannabidiol, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and several other cannabinoids typically abundant in the hemp plant are transferred to the milk produced by hemp-fed cows.
To conduct the feeding experiment, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) researchers divided ten lactating Holstein Friesian dairy cows into two groups—those that received low-hemp feed and high-hemp feed—before administering each cow its feed over a quadriphasic trial period: control (7 days of hemp-free feed for all), adaptation (7 days), exposure (6 days), and depuration (8 days).
The researchers used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and toxicokinetic computer modeling to accurately assess the “feed-to-milk transfer rate” of cannabinoids they were measuring – determining a rate of 0.20% +/- 0.03%.
As for the effect of the hemp feed on the cows themselves, the researchers noted that “Feeding up to 0.92 kg per cow per day of industrial hemp silage A with very low cannabinoid concentration … had no effect on physiological parameters and health.”
However, the cows given cannabinoid-rich feed reportedly demonstrated the following effects:
Decreased feed intake
Decreased milk yield
Significantly decreased respiratory and heart rate
“Pronounced tongue play”
Increased yawning, salivation, and nasal secretions
For those not in the know, this study is of particular importance to American dairy farmers, some of whom are calling for more exploration of hemp feed for cattle because of its affordability and nutritional value.
Hemp-based cattle feed remains outlawed in the US for now out of concerns for cannabinoids proliferating into the food supply.
Though this study at least offers a telling glimpse into the transferability of cannabinoids from cattle feed to milk and the effects of hemp-based feed on cattle, there is much more to explore in terms of how the produced milk affects humans and other issues before the legal conversation can gain more backing.
We previously reported that a peer reviewed study in France determined that medical cannabis use was associated with a lower BMI in patients diagnosed with hepatitis C (HCV).
A separate study from France also found that cannabis is inversely associated with obesity among HCV patients.
It is estimated that as many as 58 million people suffer from hepatitis C worldwide.
The World Health Organization estimates that roughly 1.1 million deaths occurred in 2019 due to hepatitis B and C, and their effects include ‘liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other conditions caused by chronic viral hepatitis.’
Hepatitis C is spread by contact with contaminated blood, such as from sharing needles or from people using unsterile tattoo equipment.
Yet another study in France examined cannabis and HCV, and the results of this latest study indicate that cannabis use is inversely associated with hypertension in HCV patients. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:
Marseille, France: HCV (Hepatitis C virus)-infected patients who consume cannabis are less likely than non-users to suffer from either hypertension or other metabolic disorders, according to data published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.
French researchers assessed the relationship between current and/or lifetime cannabis use and metabolic disorders in a cohort of 6,364 subjects infected with HCV.
Investigators reported, “Former and current cannabis use were both inversely associated with hypertension in both analyses (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.74 and 0.45).”
They also possessed fewer metabolic disorders (e.g., obesity, diabetes, etc.) than did those with no history of cannabis consumption.
They concluded: “In a large cohort of people with chronic HCV infection living in France, current or former cannabis use was associated with a lower risk of hypertension and a lower number of metabolic disorders … Future research should also explore the biological mechanisms underlying these potential benefits of cannabis use, and test whether they translate into reduced mortality in this population.”
Prior studies have identified an association between cannabis use and lower rates of diabetes and fatty liver disease in Hep-C infected subjects. Other studies have consistently identified a relationship between marijuana consumption and lower rates of obesity.
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When President George W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, a new era of civil rights for the disabled was born. New buildings were required to be handicap accessible and discrimination against the disabled was banned. And as of 2021, it also means websites must be ADA-compliant.
But not all websites are bound by the ADA, only those considered a ‘place of public accommodation,’ according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Cannabis e-commerce sites fall into this category and retailers could face stiff penalties if found non-compliant.
What is a Place of Public Accommodation?
On March 18, the DOJ issued updated promulgations on website accessibility based on the ADA. The ADA’s requirements apply to all goods, services, privileges, or other activities offered by public accommodations, including those offered on the web,” the DOJ stated in the guidelines.”
According to Indianapolis attorney Brett J. Ashton, many courts across the U.S. did not wait for the DOJ to issue its March 2022 guidelines to determine what constitutes a public accommodation.
Some ruled an actual storefront is required for a business and its website to be defined as a public accommodation. Others continue to grapple with the nexus between a business’s physical space and its website.
According to Indianapolis attorney Brett J. Ashton, many courts across the U.S. did not wait for the DOJ to issue its March 2022 guidelines to determine what constitutes a public accommodation. Courtesy Gerry Abel Chief Photographer.
Meanwhile, the DOJ has issued comments which seem to indicate its hesitancy to shield commercial websites sans a brick-and-mortar location from discrimination liabilities.
In other words, not having a physical location does not mean a commercial website need not meet ADA standards.
“If a business sells a product on its website, it’s a public accommodation, so the ADA applies,” said Attorney Jeff Lantz, CEO of Esquire Interactive, LLC, a social media and content creation venture.
An ADA Primer
The ADA is a civil rights law prohibiting all forms of discrimination against the disabled. It is divided into five sections, called Titles. Each Title prohibits discrimination against the disabled in different aspects of their lives. The Titles and their areas of focus are:
Title I: Employment
Title II: State and Local Government
Title III: Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities
Title IV: Telecommunications
Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions
“If a business sells a product on its website, it’s a public accommodation, so the ADA applies,” said Attorney Jeff Lantz, CEO of Esquire Interactive, LLC, a social media and content creation venture.
Title III states “no individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation.”
Furthermore, the Title prohibits any person owning, leasing, or renting a public accommodation to a third party from discriminating against the disabled.
When the ADA was enacted, it failed to clearly state the guidelines for handicap accessibility. The DOJ published the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design to correct that. The standards led to revisions of Titles II and III, which went into effect in 2012.
Seeking additional clarification, 181 businesses petitioned the DOJ for guidelines delineating how to make websites ADA-accessible in February 2022. The DOJ responded by publishing new guidelines on website accessibility on March 18, 2022.
Still, bemoans Lantz, those promulgations don’t go far enough.
One thing that was made clear is that businesses must “follow all laws and regulations, including the ADA,” he said.
He lamented, however, “It is nebulous what it means to be ADA-compliant due to recent case [law] results and vague DOJ guidelines.”
How to Know if Your Website is a ‘Go’
Fortunately, there are ways to analyze whether a commercial website is ADA-accessible.
An excellent place to start is the Web Accessibility Initiative. The initiative, supported by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), develops standards and support materials designed to assist people in making websites more accessible.
Also imperative is a perusal of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These technical promulgations, published by the Web Accessibility Initiative, detail how to make websites ADA-compliant. The WCAG pertains to websites, phone apps, and other digital content.
The three levels of ADA-website compliance are:
A: Minimal compliance
AA: Includes all Level A and Level AA requirements. Most companies aim for compliance on this level
AAA: Includes all Level A, AA, and AA requirements and is the strictest level of conformity. Few businesses strive to meet this standard
Level A conformance does not generally offer broad accessibility while Level AA offers a mid-range level. The most notable Level AA requirements include:
1. Captions (for live audio and video)
2. Consistent navigation elements site-wide
3. Color contrast, at least 4.5:1
4. The ability for status updates to be conveyed through a screen reader
Several free websites diagnose website accessibility, usually for free. A quick search of the web will reveal numerous options.
Why ADA Compliance Matters
There are several reasons why a cannabis entity’s website should be ADA-compatible.
For starters, it’s the law.
“So, even without the law, it’s a best practice to modify a website to accommodate patients with various medical and physical issues,” said Columbus lawyer Chad Blackham.
Beyond that, an accessible website is a “good policy that is consumer-focused. Individuals eligible for medical marijuana will have underlying medical conditions.
“So, even without the law, it’s a best practice to modify a website to accommodate patients with various medical and physical issues,” said Columbus lawyer Chad Blackham.
Blackham also noted that in our post-pandemic world, where remote working is a growing trend, adapting a website so it can be used by anyone is “an adaptation to post-COVID life.”
According to David M. Benson, a bankruptcy attorney in Cleveland, since cannabis is still illegal federally, a marijuana company racking up sizable legal fees defending ADA-website litigation is barred from filing bankruptcy.
David M. Benson is a bankruptcy attorney in Cleveland, Ohio.
“I can’t help you,” he said.
Cannabis entrepreneurs are especially vulnerable to ADA-website compliance complaints because they already face a complicated web of state and federal promulgations, opined Blackham.
Ashton noted an uptick in ADA-website compliance cases filed over the past few years. “Three years ago, I might have told a client to ignore those letters (complaining about website compliance) but now, we respond to the demand letter. In the past few months, more complaints have been filed.”
“There’s a large incentive for Plaintiffs to pursue these cases, and 99% settle” Blackham added.
Most lawsuits alleging a failure to meet ADA-website compliance laws seek less than $100,000 in damages to keep the case out of Federal Court. Ashton also said he often counsels insurance companies to settle rather than litigate because “the legal fees are not worth the money. Unless it’s in Federal Court and you’re suing a five-billion-dollar bank.”
Plaintiffs “want a quick recovery,” Ashton said.
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Native American tribes across the country are joining the legal cannabis industry.
As sovereign nations, each tribe creates laws around the sale and consumption of cannabis. But with every tribe creating independent regulations, finding software to help with compliance can be an expensive challenge.
Tribal cannabis companies must comply with their tribe’s requirements, and they may be asked to prove compliance to the surrounding state to adhere to compacts made with those governments.
There’s also the potential the federal government could intervene.
The Trump administration revoked the Cole and Wilkinson memos which prohibited the federal government from interfering with states and Native American tribes pursuing cannabis legalization.
Six tribal nations are members of the Inter-Tribal Cannabis Commission (ITCC), a group created to help Nevada tribes share the cost of seed-to-sale tracking and compliance software.
This cross-jurisdictional compliance is understandably cumbersome for tribal governments. Further, some tribes appreciate having an independent third party to verify cannabis operators are compliant.
There are technologies available to help, but the cost can be prohibitive. Some of Nevada’s tribes are taking an innovative approach to solve this issue.
Abiding the Rules on a Budget
Six tribal nations are members of the Inter-Tribal Cannabis Commission (ITCC), a group created to help Nevada tribes share the cost of seed-to-sale tracking and compliance software.
While it may be cost-effective for the state of Nevada to use a large platform like Metrc, tribal governments deal with fewer cannabis operators, less revenue, and more oversight.
A solution like cost-sharing can help every tribe access top-tier technology without coming out of pocket for the entire expense.
The ITCC works with Cannabis Compliance Technologies (CCT), a compliance and seed-to-sale software company specializing in tribal territories. CCT President Cassandra Dittus said the cost-sharing program is cheaper than each tribe having a paid staff member.
“The ITCC lays out a budget every year and it’s presented to the board, which has a member from each tribe,” Dittus said.
“The board is given a basic budget of what it’s going to take to operate, which includes CCT oversight, the cost of salaries, and basic operations.
“The total cost is divided by 12 for the monthly budget, then divided again by the six tribes. That’s their membership fee per month that they pay from taxation.”
The ITCC is a non-profit organization so if the cost of operations is less than the budget outlined, the excess funds are returned to the tribes.
Dittus said the software was pivotal to creating cannabis agreements with the state of Nevada.
“CCT was the first tool we utilized to build tribal sovereignty because it was a key piece to show that tribes are operating in the same sense that the state is — without having to use the state compliance software.”
CCT is favored in Nevada because of its cost-sharing structure and easy-to-use interface.
There are currently six Nevada tribes with membership in ITCC, all of which use CCT for compliance and seed-to-sale product tracking. The tribes share expenses and information, creating more access to the industry.
“They have a group that has helped them work through the challenges of regulating cannabis,” Dittus said. “It’s been a huge tool for them to utilize.”
Compliance on the Blockchain
Many legalized states use Metrc or BioTrack for compliance reporting. Tribal governments are free to choose whichever software provider they prefer.
CCT is favored in Nevada because of its cost-sharing structure and easy-to-use interface.
ITCC Chief Technology Officer Bill Hayes said the easiest and most secure way to provide those services is through a distributed database management system built on blockchain.
Blockchain ensures every action within the database is tracked and transparent. “If I had a record with your name in it, for example, and I deleted the ‘R,’ it would show that I deleted the keystroke and what time the deletion was made,” Hayes said.
ITCC Chief Technology Officer Bill Hayes said the easiest and most secure way to provide IT services is through a distributed database management system built on blockchain.
He built the system with blockchain to limit the options for data hacking. “The thing about blockchain is the more components you add, the more people that have a piece of that file system, the more the security of the information system itself grows.
“So if everybody has a copy of the file, and you would have to change every copy of the file in order to change that file, the more devices that have a copy of the file, the more secure you are. So as we grow, we actually become more secure instead of less secure,” Hayes said.
CCT has gone to great lengths to ensure the system is secure and easy to use while still offering robust functionality.
“On average, for each member tribe, I took roughly 4,000 pages of legalese and turned it into 20,000 pages of IFTT code,” Hayes said. “It’s literally an ‘if-this, then-that’ nested formula that works its way through all the legalese so at the end, you’re either compliant, you’re not, or it doesn’t apply to you.”
This allows the tribes to transfer data to different jurisdictions while maintaining the integrity of the data. To further level up the security and transparency for tribal governments, CCT’s software uses GPS monitoring during transportation.
It may seem like an obvious protocol, but Metrc and BioTrack do not use GPS monitoring during transportation, instead relying on after-the-fact reporting from business owners.
Increasing Tribal Participation Through Tech
CCT’s software could be a gateway into the industry for many Native American tribes seeking an affordable, efficient way to track products and verify compliance.
First Nations tribes in Canada are showing interest in CCT’s software as well, largely due to the strict reporting requirements of Canadian cannabis laws.
Dittus said each region may require different versions of CCT software to fit the regulatory environment in which it’s being used. Wherever the software is deployed, it also serves as a third-party oversight system.
Its reports are given to the tribal government so they can ensure compliance in their jurisdiction and the state’s jurisdiction if requested. As Dittus said, “It’s really a support piece to help each tribe govern itself.”
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Everyone is talking about the recession. We are all feeling its impact one way or another. If you are running a cannabis business, you might already be seeing signs that tough times are up ahead. Since the rising cost of goods means shoppers have less cash, competition is much stiffer. Some retailers are already marking down prices to attract more shoppers but this short–term solution just leaves most players in the industry with lower profit margins.
In addition to all this, your employees might already be experiencing a low morale because of the rising cost of everyday goods. This can’t be good for your business, right? You’re probably asking yourself if you can weather the storm.
Winners and Losers
Since the cannabis industry is still in its infancy, it’s hard to say if it is truly recession-resistant. However it is safe to expect, just like in any recession, some businesses will come out as winners. Others, unfortunately, will have to bear the lifelong impacts of this economic crisis.
There are many ways to help your cannabis business survive and even thrive in these uncertain times. Given the current economic landscape, automation for cannabis businesses can help save time, money, and energy. While it’s not a silver bullet that can solve all business problems, it can improve efficiency and ultimately help profits.
Empowering a business with automation can help keep customers happy and even help a brand grow during these challenging times. There are several measurable ways automation can help cannabis companies.
Increased Production Efficiency
Automation in the cannabis industry is underutilized. Adding automation to cut costs and increase throughput on your production may help create resiliency and come out of the recession on top.
For those in gummy manufacturing, an automated gummy filling machine like the DM50 from One Supply creates up to 18,000 cannabis gummies per hour. If you are producing half that amount now manually through other methods, increasing volume will increase revenues, and could help carry your brand through tough times. An entry piece of automation equipment like the DM50, at a competitive price, could help a cbd gummy manufacturer who has been using human workers increase productivity without breaking the bank. One Supply reported the DM50 can reduce three workers to one, resulting in over $200,000 of increased profits on a $70K investment. It’s also a good option if you are just looking to expand your product offerings. Opening up a new revenue stream is always a good option for recession proofing.
If you are in vape manufacturing then pre-loaded trays can help your production definitely become more efficient. Effectively reducing the time it takes to set up cartridges for filling. By having ready-to-go trays you can fill product 4x faster and can check off that box for efficiency in your vape business.
Expanding Your Business With New Products
Sure, cutting costs is essential for business survival during a recession. But it is also important that you don’t miss out on opportunities to strengthen your brand and boost your sales. A concrete way to increase sales during the recession is to expand your offerings. This could even help you stand out against competitors who have the mindset of “just keeping the business afloat” during the recession.
If you are a more experienced cannabis company looking to upgrade your automation processes, there are several other machines that offer the ability to not only add automation to your every day production, but also add the ability to expand. One Supply’s manufacturing solutions catalog has some options to equip you for just that.
For example the RoboCAP 300. If you are vape filling already this unit can increase your production volume to 1,800 cartridges per hour. You can achieve this with the RoboCAP with just one operator. You’ll know that if you were to try to produce that number manually, you would need a minimum of 4 operators. The investment here is a no-brainer. Save on operations and increase your volume. Sounds like a recipe for success.
On top of that, you can utilize the RoboCAP to open up some other categories you might not be utilizing with your brand. The RoboCAP machine can be upgraded with minimal cost to have the ability to fill capsules, balms, creams, tinctures, and bottles. This effectively opens up a pandora’s box of revenue streams for your already existing business.
Did you know? In 2018, gummies drove 44% of the total category size. So far in 2022, gummies are driving 73% of edibles sales.
In California, the world’s longest-standing legal market, gummies now make up over 90% of total edibles.
It proves that now is the perfect time to expand your brand into gummy manufacturing. You can once again use the DM50 From One Supply to expand your brand’s product offerings and open up that new stream of revenue just waiting for you to reach out and grab it. If you’re company is larger in size and your facility can hold a machine with a slightly larger footprint and you are looking for a larger throughput, then the G80 which produces double the amount of gummies per hour. That might satisfy that expansion itch.
These automation solutions bring options for your staff providing opportunities to grow your business instead of staff wasting their time on monotonous tasks. They can spend more time experimenting, looking for innovative solutions, or finding ways to help your company grow in ways that involve real thought and things only a human can do. Since your employees would be making better use of their time and skill sets, you can expect that the result of adding automation will cultivate better employee satisfaction and overall morale would significantly improve.
Improve cost savings
Automation allows business owners to allocate limited resources to things that matter most in the business. As you shift to automation, you will be able to assess your processes and determine the steps where money is wasted. Another great example of a task that can reduce operation costs for vape producers is pre-loaded trays.
Typically trays are manually filled, and if you’ve ever done this yourself it can be a “pull your hair out” type of task that eats up very valuable time. You can once again use pre-loaded trays tto improve cost savings. These pre-loaded trays can be combined with the RoboCAP Series machines from ATG. Greentank’s pre-loaded trays come with the tray ready to go. Just place it on the machine and fill. Not only reducing that time to setup cartridges for filling, but also comes with the vape caps on preloaded blocks right out of the box to easily cap your filled cartridges. Labor savings here can bring you from 6-8 operators down to 2-3. If you factor in the use of pre-loaded trays, that can bring operators down to 1. Just think about how this might add to your bottom line.
You might find that relying on manual processes is more expensive than migrating to automated processes. This gives you an opportunity to improve your business workflows, so that you are able to produce the highest quality products in the most efficient way.
Future-proof your business
While there are indeed challenges that come with the recession, this does not mean the end for your business. In fact, cannabis is one of the industries that would greatly benefit from shifting to automation during these trying times. It wouldn’t be surprising if we see more cannabis businesses shifting to automated processes in the near future. The last thing you want is to be left behind!
In a way, getting started with automation today is simply making sure that your cannabis business is ready for the future.
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MjBizCon is just around the corner, and there’s no doubt it is going to be a blast. Vegas’ biggest cannabis expo is bringing the industry’s most prominent names into the fold and will include over 1,400 exhibitors and 320,000 square feet of exhibits.
Networking and partnership-building opportunities will abound, but if you really want to sink your teeth into the cannabis culture and create some lifelong memories, consider attending one or more of these afterparties. Just remember, despite the well-known phrase, what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas, so inhale responsibly.
While it is technically a “before-party,” Psyc’d for MjBizCon is a must-hit to kick the event off right. A little pre-game never hurt anyone, right?
Join Spotlight Media for a pre-conference bash at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas. Mix and mingle with fellow attendees and savor free sponsored beverages while enjoying an evening of poetry. Come out and enjoy a curated lineup of some of the best Spoken Word artists you’ll ever see perform live including a headlining set from Tray Chaney (HBO’s The Wire, We Own This City) and meet additional cast members celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The Wire!
Location: Brooklyn Bowl, 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, United States
Join Shangri-La on the journey to discover a new world where nature and technology harmoniously intersect and plant-based lifestyles meet modern marvels of a new, digital world.
Happy Munkey is the Title Sponsor for this event. Their mission from Legacy to Legal is to empower, elevate, and champion individuals and communities creating cannabis culture. The media company provides its audience an entrance to the New York cannabis lifestyle through events, podcasts, video content, written content, and social media.
Location: South Industrial Road, Las Vegas, NV, 89102
This signature Sensi event brings together top-level decision-makers in the highest room on the Las Vegas strip — on the 108th floor at The Strat.
Each of Sensi’s guests have access to unlimited cocktails, thrill rides (voted the best ride year after year), and some of the best hors d’oeuvres and food you’ll be raving about all week.
Start off strong and join Sensi for an all-around great networking experience and the party that has everyone talking.
Come see, and be seen along with …
Cannabis industry decision makers, C-Suite execs and department managers
Premium food buffet available (Come hungry!)
Open bar loaded with cocktails and premium drinks
Ride wristbands with access to the thrill rides on top of The Strat
Location: 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S. Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, 89104
Cova Software and Sapphire Risk Advisory Group are hosting the ultimate cannabis industry party of 2022 at MJBizCon — in the 80s! The location is still a secret, and you will need an exclusive invitation from someone with future technology that can take you back in time. Let’s revisit history and witness a hush-hush underground party with an open bar, live performances, and of course, a live DJ from the 80s. And did someone say munchies? After some CBD-infused drinks, you’ll certainly be craving those.
If you’re a cannabis retailer or considering opening a dispensary, the back to the 80s party at MJBizCon 2022 will transport you to an era when the cannabis legacy industry was at its peak and you’ll meet people who are creating innovative technology to facilitate the growth and success of the legal cannabis retail industry in North America.
The Back to the 80s party is almost at capacity, but may still be able to score some VIP tickets.
Presented by Zig Zag, this event brings together the brightest in the cannabis industry, from CEOs to Investors and Event Planners to Budtenders. Join High Times for a night of networking, bowling, and musical performances.
Free entry into GA with RSVP and MJ Biz Con badge. Limited Capacity; entry is not guaranteed.
Interested in a bowling lane for your company or other sponsorships? Email Advertising@hightimes.com
Location: Brooklyn Bowl in the Linq Promenade 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Date and Time: Nov 17, 8:00 PM-12:00 AM
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Mike Tyson is a man of many talents, but one particular set of skills is heralded above all others by his fans — the ability to knock highly trained heavyweight fighters to the ground.
With a record of 50 wins (44 by knockout) and only six losses in his career, it’s no wonder many boxing pundits consider him one of the greatest of all time.
In his prime, it’s hard to argue anyone could have taken down “the baddest man on the planet.”
But such singular focus on organized violence can wear on the psyche. According to Tyson, if the beast within him comes out “hell comes with it.”
The former heavyweight champion has been candid about his struggle with his temper, stating in a recent interview with Cannabis & Tech Today that his family and anyone around him could be caught up in his rage.
“You can ask my wife and kids five years ago how I was, and you can ask them now,” Tyson said. “They didn’t like me five years ago. My family did not like me. You know what that feeling’s like, your kids not liking you saying ‘Hello,’ and ‘Good morning,’ in the morning?”
With a record of 50 wins (44 by knockout) and only six losses in his career, it’s no wonder many boxing pundits consider him one of the greatest of all time.
When he started to utilize cannabis as a medicine, Tyson’s countenance changed, and he became more centered and mindful. The plant also helped him stop using other potentially harmful chemicals.
“By me using cannabis to stop the hardcore stuff, I have a relationship with my children and family now,” Tyson said. “My kids used to see me and leave the house. When I came home, my wife and kids left the house, even the cleaning people.”
According to Tyson, the plant can bring people with even the most hardened hearts to a more peaceful state of mind.
“Marijuana’s only going to make you love somebody. You could be in the room with a couple of gang members who don’t know each other. If you give them some liquor and cocaine, they’re going to kill each other. You give them some cannabis, they’re going to start taking selfies and shit.”
The introduction of entheogens — natural drugs with spiritual benefits — into Tyson’s life also contributed to his change in lifestyle.
The introduction of entheogens — natural drugs with spiritual benefits — into Tyson’s life also contributed to his change in lifestyle.
“I’ve never felt as healthy in my life, I’ve never felt as clear in my life,” Tyson said during a 2021 interview with Forbes.
“I tried 5-MeO-DMT, the God molecule, and my whole life changed. I lost 100 pounds. I started fighting people again, at 55. Everything started to change from a business perspective, from a health perspective, and from an ideology perspective as far as the clearness of my thinking. I didn’t know I could feel this good at 55.”
Medicinal psychedelics even helped him face his mortality from a new perspective.
“It allows you to become comfortable with death,” he said in 2019 on TheJoe Rogan Experience.
A Hero’s Journey
The appreciation for cannabis and entheogens Tyson has, and the positive effect they have had on his life has led to a new chapter for him. Tyson founded his first cannabis company, Tyson Ranch, in 2018. As the name suggests, it operated out of his 40-acre cannabis ranch in California.
The ranch failed in 2021, but not one to bow down to the specter of failure, Tyson has built on his experience in the industry with a successful new line of products.
The birth of Tyson 2.0 in 2021 has been a marked success, shown by the partnerships and distribution the company has brought to bear. Tyson’s climb to the top of the cannabis industry resembles that of a hero’s journey, as Tyson makes allies of former rivals and brings celebrities of similar iconic status into the fray.
One of Tyson’s best-selling products is a THC edible shaped like an ear with the top corner missing — a clear nod to the time when Tyson, in one of the most gruesome acts seen in the world of professional sports, bit off part of opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear in the third round of their bout.
Decades after the fight, with tensions long dissipated by time and the clarity that accompanies it, Tyson approached Holyfield about the concept of creating an edible in homage to the infamous incident on the podcast Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson.
“You might be in business because we’re going to make some holy ears. Some edibles [of the ear] that got a bite taken out of ’em,” Tyson said.
Holyfield responded by stating, “Well, I could do that.”
Shortly after the addition of Mike Bites, legendary wrestler Ric Flair joined the Tyson 2.0 team, signing over his iconic brand and trademark catchphrases.
Shortly after the addition of Mike Bites, legendary wrestler Ric Flair joined the Tyson 2.0 team, signing over his iconic brand and trademark catchphrases.
Soon, the team was “jetflying” and “limousine riding” their way to prominence in the space.
The Tyson 2.0 brand is now available across 14 states including Colorado, California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Delaware, Michigan, Illinois, Washington D.C., Maryland, Ohio, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Oregon, with more states to be added throughout the rest of the year.
Flagship strains Toad and Sonoran Toad harken back to Tyson’s roots as a cannabis and psychedelic enthusiast and advocate. The Sonoran Toad is a species that secretes 5-MEO DMT from its glands. The venom is then dried and smoked.
Since his experience with 5-MEO DMT was so profound and life-changing, it is no surprise he named one of the brand’s strains after the toad which naturally produces the chemical. It seems as though Tyson has come full circle after many years of searching.
Like Alexander the Great, once he conquered the known world he slipped into a comfort that at times turned to decadence and indulgence. But like Alexander, he still sought the battle.
However, Tyson may ultimately be a better man than Alexander, as he learned to navigate the path between warrior and self-actualized human being; a path that requires a great amount of self-analysis and reflection.
Cannabis is one of the tools he used to achieve a renewed and more complete sense of self, which is why his brand continues to thrive. Authenticity is the hallmark of a great brand, and it is a quality that Tyson exudes.
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