Evan Comer

The cannabis industry is no stranger to regulatory shifts, but a new proposal in Texas stands out for its sheer scale. Texas health officials are proposing a 10,000% increase in licensing fees for hemp retailers and manufacturers, jumping from $250 to $25,000 for some businesses. This move, published in the Dec. 26, 2025, issue of the Texas Register, aims to overhaul the state's hemp program. While the intent may be to strengthen oversight, the dramatic fee hike could disproportionately affect small businesses and entrepreneurs who are already navigating a complex regulatory landscape. At Green Grove Bud, we believe in fair, science-backed policies that support both consumer safety and industry growth. Sudden, massive cost increases risk stifling innovation and limiting access to safe, regulated hemp products. What can you do? 🟢Stay informed about your state's hemp regulations. 🟢 Support advocacy groups working for sensible cannabis policies. 🟢Engage with lawmakers to share the impact of such changes on small businesses. We'll continue monitoring this proposal and others that shape the future of cannabis. #CannabisIndustry #Hemp #Legislation #Texas #CannabisAdvocacy #SmallBusiness #Regulation

Oklahoma: License Freeze in Full Effect Three key takeaways: • 2-year moratorium on new medical licenses runs through 2026 • Retail sales hit $716M, but active licenses are on the decline • Tightened enforcement is reducing non-compliant operators Oklahoma’s once-booming license volume is shrinking fast, but there’s room for compliant operators to thrive in a more regulated landscape. 💡 Want the full picture—complete with market trends, licensing shifts, and actionable guidance across 15+ states? 📥 Download the full 2025 Mid-Year Cannabis Market Brief now: https://hubs.la/Q03y9b_m0

1

Nebraska’s new medical cannabis program is moving quickly, with emergency rules in place and licenses expected to be granted by October 1, 2025—creating a fast-track opportunity for entrepreneurs. With limited licenses, strict residency and product restrictions, and no vertical integration allowed, now is the time to prepare! #nebraskacannabis #cannabisapplication #cannabislicensing #cultivation #processing #dispensary #cannabisbusiness #cannabisconsultants #nebraska #cannabis https://lnkd.in/guaGJbEA

6

5 Steps to Better Strategic Selling in Cannabis Most LPs focus on tactical selling to retailers. This type of sales is transaction-driven, store focused, and undertaken by passionate albeit junior salespeople and brand ambassadors. When properly managed and executed, this approach can yield solid results. However, it’s not sufficient to deliver long term competitiveness and higher margins. What is often missing is a longer-term sales strategy tailored specifically for wholesalers and medium-to-large retail chains. This cohort has big, sustainable volume and strategic advantage in terms of crowding out your peers. Not surprisingly larger, more sophisticated entities are much harder to snag - and keep. They don’t have the same business needs as an independent store or small chain. Furthermore, big chains and wholesalers don’t want to be ‘sold’ the same way or with the same ‘why us’ pitch. Yes, data deals play a role, but they too are insufficient. Data Deals obscure the fundamental drivers of competitiveness such as product-market fit and supply chain performance.  And they are not completely legal. 🏆 To win with the big players, LPs need a more strategic, longer-term approach. ⚡ I call it Strategic Account Management.  💡 SAM generates results by building symbiotic partnerships (i.e. shared economic value) and relationships (i.e. mutual trust) with key customers. 💵 The rewards are significant, including increased ‘stickiness’, more listings/better display, and higher margins. SAM is common in B2B markets such as CPG, financial services, and IT where producers do not have an easy or economical path to directly influencing consumer behaviour.  I've deployed these SAM strategies at my consulting and fractional leadership clients: 1️⃣ Assist with financial & competitive analysis and long-term planning support that helps category manage the retailer’s assortment. 2️⃣ Develop and implement a retailer 'value proposition' that addresses THEIR business needs. I asked one of Canada's best cannabis sales leaders and LPs, Adam Coates from Decibel Cannabis Company, to add his SAM best practices: “We’ve learned that sustainable success comes from moving beyond transactional sales to building true partnerships with boards and large retail chains. For us, SAM means: 3️⃣ Deeply understanding the wholesaler and/or retailer’s business model & priorities, then tailoring solutions, through our products and programs, that clearly demonstrate value for them AND their customers. 4️⃣ Developing tailored, data-driven programs to drive sell-through. 5️⃣ Engaging channel stakeholders in innovation brainstorming and planning. At Decibel we use SAM to drive channel trust and reliability which can unlock incremental volume and margin, as well durable competitive advantage.” Hit me up.  I help leadership teams maximize sales effectiveness & efficiency for long term competitive advantage. #cannabisindustry #cannabis #sales #selling #LPS  

24

7 Comments