Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! As I take a moment to look back, I want to express my most sincere gratitude to you for being part of our family—many of you for nearly nine years! I am grateful to have seen Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Conference grow to heights I could not have imagined, all thanks to you—our readers and advertising partners.
I believe my entire 30-year career as an editor led me to you, to this industry, which I am unrelentingly passionate about.
I also, however, am looking back at what was a painful year for many in the industry—the culmination of too many challenges causing the industry to buckle under the weight. I have seen friends shut the doors to their plant-touching businesses, tired after years of blood, sweat and tears shed over the constant battering of overregulation (and the cost of compliance), over-taxation, unjust treatment as federally illegal entities, severe price compression in most markets—and that’s just the tip of the behemoth iceberg. I have talked with many more who are hanging on with one finger.
Despite this, I look ahead to the new year with hope and optimism. Every industry has its ups and downs, and the cannabis industry is no different in that respect. What is different is the people in it—with so many of you inspired to join this volatile ride, as I was, by passion for the cannabis plant.
I have seen so many of you band together, offer a hand to others who are struggling, let us tell your stories so that we as an industry may grow stronger, and grow stronger plants, together.
We will emerge from this downturn. And in the meantime, I and the entire team at Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Conference will continue to work tirelessly, as you all do, to exceed your expectations in bringing you the most important news and strategies that will help you not only survive, but thrive in this industry in the future, and continue to grow the healthiest, happiest cannabis crops known to mankind.
Yours with gratitude and appreciation,
Noelle Skodzinski
Editorial Director
Cannabis Business Times | Cannabis Conference