CSE:FFNT

4Front Ventures Corp. Partners with Homegrown Detroit to Support Legacy Detroiters' Equitable Access to the Cannabis Sector

 
 

  Mission Dispensaries to Host Live Stream Grow Seminar with Legendary Cannabis Geneticist
DJ Short on Saturday, May 16, 2021 from 4:20 p.m. to 6:00 p.m ET, Bringing World-Class Cultivation Tips to Detroit's Legacy Cannabis Operators, Aspiring Entrepreneurs and
Those Adversely Impacted by the War on Drugs
 

 

  Event to Raise Awareness and Funds for Homegrown Detroit's Mission of Providing Critical Resources and Mentorship to Ensure Legacy Detroiters' Success in the Emerging Marketplace
 

 

4Front Ventures Corp . ( CSE: FFNT ) ( OTCQX: FFNTF ) ( "4Front" or the "Company" ), a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, announced its retail brand, Mission Dispensaries has partnered with Homegrown Detroit a city-wide initiative aimed at creating a more equitable, accessible cannabis industry in the City of Detroit .

 

 

  Introducing the new 4Front Ventures - 4Front Logo (CNW Group/4Front) 

 
 

On Saturday, May 16, 2021 from 4:20 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET , 4Front's Mission Dispensaries, along with   Terrapin Care Station   ,    Viola Brands    and Aunt Sparkies , will sponsor a   live   stream grow seminar   at the Company's   Om of Medicine    (    Mission Ann Arbor    ) retail location. The event will feature legendary cannabis geneticist   DJ Short   , who has produced some of the most unique strains in the world since the 1970s, and whose Blueberry strain has been described by some as "the most wonderful form of marijuana to date." During the event, the pioneering cannabis breeder will share his decades of cultivation expertise with Homegrown Legacy Detroiters, aspiring entrepreneurs, those adversely impacted by the War on Drugs and the larger online cannabis community. The iconic grower will also take questions from event participants after covering the topics below:

 
  • Overview of cannabis' history, cultivation and culture;
  •  
  • Basic- and advanced-level growing tips and techniques;
  •  
  • Therapeutic aspects of the plant;
  •  
  • Species variance of different cannabis strains; and
  •  
  • What you need to know about the quality selection process.
  •  

"The emerging marijuana market is a powerful opportunity for business owners and Detroiters to rectify decades of anti-cannabis laws," said Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity at City of Detroit Director Kimberly Rustem . "However, those who have been adversely impacted by the War on Drugs can often have a difficult time entering the new adult-use cannabis industry. This is due, in part, to a lack of access to capital, business space, technical support and regulatory compliance assistance. This live stream grow seminar will bring advice and mentorship from one of the world's best-known geneticists and breeders and raise critical funds to help Legacy Detroiters succeed."

 

"It is a pleasure and an honor to support the Homegrown Detroit Program," said Cannabis Geneticist DJ Short. "Recognizing the balance this program brings to areas so negatively impacted by unjust prohibition policies was a no-brainer for me. Homegrown Detroit is beginning to clean up the mess caused by these failed policies of the past, and I couldn't be more excited to share my knowledge with Legacy Detroiters while raising awareness of this amazing initiative and its mission."

 

"With many finding themselves with little resources or knowledge to get involved in the cannabis industry, Homegrown Detroit's efforts are helping to ensure Detroiters are well positioned for long-term success," said 4Front Executive Vice President of Business Development Mark Passerini . "We couldn't be prouder to sponsor this event, as well as help donate $4,000 , along with our partners -- DJ Short, Terrapin Care Station, Viola Brands and Aunt Sparkies -- to this important initiative. As a multistate cannabis operator, advocates and pioneers in the cannabis industry, we have strived to set the tone for what this industry becomes while driving value for our shareholders and partners. Our hope is others will not only support this great cause, but also join us in exploring impactful ways to pay it forward. At the end of the day, we firmly believe that a more inclusive, diverse cannabis industry will not only drive innovation, but also long-term growth."

 

The City of Detroit's Adult Use Recreational Marijuana ordinance currently gives preference to long-time Detroit residents seeking licenses. Funds raised during 4Front's live grow seminar will help support Legacy Detroiters, who are interested in obtaining one or more of the 10 different types of Adult Use Recreational Marijuana-related licenses in the City of Detroit .

 

For more information, visit   DJ Short Grow Seminar Live Stream Event Facebook Page   ,   https://detroitmeansbusiness.org/homegrown   and   https://4frontventures.com/   .

 

  About 4Front Ventures Corp. 
    4Front Ventures Corp       .      (    CSE: FFNT   ) (    OTCQX: FFNTF    ) ( "4Front" ) is a national multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, with a market advantage in mass-produced, low-cost quality branded cannabis products. 4Front manufactures and distributes a portfolio of over 25 cannabis brands including Marmas, Crystal Clear , Funky Monkey, Pebbles, and the Pure Ratios wellness collection, distributed through retail outlets and their chain of strategically positioned Mission branded dispensaries. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona , 4Front has operations in Illinois , Massachusetts , California , Michigan , and Washington state . From plant genetics to the cannabis retail experience, 4Front's team applies expertise across the entire cannabis value chain. For more information, visit www.4frontventures.com .

 
 
 

SOURCE 4Front

 

 

 

 Cision View original content to download multimedia: https://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/13/c5803.html  

 
 

News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia

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Consumption habits are changing as edibles, vaping and THC beverages gain traction, especially among younger users, and cannabis companies are adapting their offerings to meet shifting demand.

Meanwhile, regulatory uncertainty, particularly surrounding the future of the US Farm Bill and state-level restrictions on hemp-derived cannabinoids, continues to challenge the market.

Despite these headwinds, production data and long-term growth forecasts suggest the cannabis industry remains on a promising — albeit turbulent — path. Read on for more on key trends to watch in 2025.

Consumption methods evolving post-legalization

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While smoking remains the dominant method of cannabis consumption, a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the growing popularity of edibles, vaping and dabbing.

The report notes that vaping and dabbing are particularly pronounced among younger adults.

A separate study published by the American Medical Association and funded in part by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research also points to how product preferences have changed among Canadian users since legalization in 2018.


The study indicates that while the use of flower, cannabis concentrates, oil, tinctures and topicals has decreased during that time, the use of vape cartridges, edibles and beverages has increased.

Edibles and beverages were legalized in Canada in late 2019, and Truss Beverage was one of the first players to introduce cannabis-infused drinks. Truss was a joint venture formed by Molson Coors Canada (TSX:TPX.A,TSX:TPX.B) and HEXO, a cannabis company that has since been acquired by Tilray Brands (TSX:TLRY,NASDAQ:TLRY).

In early 2020, Tilray launched a lineup of confectionery, wellness products and beverages through its subsidiary, High Park; Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED,NASDAQ:CGC) made a similar move. These companies gradually brought their products to the US as more states legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use.

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Growing awareness of health and wellness, potentially amplified by the pandemic-led adoption of health trackers, appears to be making an impact on the alcoholic beverage market.

A 2023 Gallup poll reveals a two decade decline in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger adults, suggesting a shift towards more health-conscious lifestyles within this demographic.

Craft beer production declined by 4 percent year-on-year in 2024, according to data collected by the Brewers Association. This marked the largest drop in the industry's history, excluding the pandemic. For small, independent craft breweries, 2024 marked the third consecutive year of declining production. A drop in the number of operating small breweries last year provides further evidence of this trend, with 501 closures in 2024 versus 434 openings.

Challenges in the alcohol market extend beyond the brewing industry, with the New York Times recently reporting the closure of a handful of nightclubs facing decreased alcohol sales alongside rising insurance and rent costs.

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Hemp market growth despite regulatory uncertainty

The burgeoning hemp industry is another segment of the expanding cannabis market.

The legalization of industrial hemp — defined as cannabis with a THC concentration of 0.3 percent or less — through the 2018 Farm Bill led to initial investment and optimistic projections for CBD wellness products and various industrial applications. The sector’s rapid evolution also brought the rise of hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids, creating a market that presented both opportunities and complexities for participants.

However, after an initial boom, a lack of infrastructure and clearly defined regulations for CBD, as well as state-level variations and market oversupply, ultimately contributed to a quick retraction.

2024 was a pivotal year for the US hemp industry, as the hemp-related provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill — originally set to expire in September 2023, but extended to December 31, 2024 — created an urgent need to address critical issues like THC limits and the regulation of novel hemp-derived cannabinoids. A major point of contention was the proposed shift from defining hemp based on Delta-9 THC concentration (0.3 percent or less) to “total THC,” which includes THCA.

This change had the potential to significantly impact farmers and processors, as many hemp varieties that are compliant under the Delta-9 THC rule could exceed the 0.3 percent limit when THCA is included.

Various bills and amendments were proposed in 2024 as part of the Farm Bill discussions, each with different approaches to regulating hemp. Separate regulatory frameworks for industrial hemp and hemp grown for cannabinoids were suggested, and many states took their own action, leading to a patchwork of regulations and even outright bans.

Despite challenges, data from the US Department of Agriculture suggests signs of recovery.

The department's annual National Hemp Report from 2024 points to an 18 percent increase in industrial hemp production value between 2022 and 2023, with output growth seen in specific sectors like floral (18 percent), fiber (133 percent) and seed hemp (414 percent). The 2025 report from the Department of Agriculture indicates further expansion, with notable increases observed in both acreage (up 64 percent from 2023) and value (46 percent).

The 2024 Farm Bill ultimately did not pass, and right now the hemp industry is operating under a temporary extension of the 2018 Farm Bill under the American Relief Act of 2025, signed into law on December 21, 2024.

The 2018 Farm Bill is now set to expire on September 30, 2025.

While analysts for Markets and Markets project that the North American hemp industry will grow at a CAGR of 22.4 percent and ultimately reach a valuation of US$30.24 billion by 2029, the future of the industry will be heavily influenced by the outcome of the ongoing Farm Bill discussions.

US cannabis legalization remains stalled

Although there is clear demand for cannabis products, the now-defunct rescheduling process in the US is likely to continue casting a shadow of uncertainty over the industry's long-term trajectory.

Legal and procedural delays, including allegations of improper conduct and bias within the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), led to hearing cancellations, and the new administration of US President Donald Trump has brought leadership changes to key agencies like the DEA and the Department of Justice.

Terry Cole, who Trump nominated to be DEA administrator on February 11, has a history of opposing cannabis legalization in the country. Similarly, Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick to lead the justice department, staunchly opposed a movement to legalize medical cannabis during her tenure as Florida’s attorney general.

While there have been bipartisan efforts in Congress to end federal cannabis prohibition and establish regulations for eventual legalization, the DEA’s actions and statements indicate a potential stall or reversal of progress.

In addition to that, new research is adding complexity to the debate.

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry this past March highlights an association between the use of high-potency cannabis strains and increased risks of psychosis, a factor that may not have been fully considered by the Department of Health and Human Services. As stronger cannabis strains become more widely available, a reassessment of their potential health risks may be required.

Investor takeaway

While the cannabis industry holds promise for growth and innovation, investors must remain acutely aware of the regulatory uncertainties and market volatility that will undoubtedly shape its trajectory in the years to come.

Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Cannabis for real-time news updates!

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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