CVCAN Newsletter – 4/17/2020

Message from the President

For more than four years CVCAN (Coachella valley cannabis alliance network) has lived by a core value established by its founders. ”CVCAN is the voice for the cannabis industry throughout the Coachella valley”. This enduring value guides us as we face the difficult challenge of responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19), which the world health organization has declared a pandemic in early March.

Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people who have been affected by this unprecedented event. We appreciate the healthcare workers, local communities, and governments around the world who are on the front line working to contain this pandemic.

Please know that we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and have precautions set in place to ensure that we are putting our members well-being first. As the current situation is still evolving, it is too early for us to make any changes. In the coming months we will be sure to keep you updated on any membership changes through CVCAN’s website. As your president I just want to remind all of our members that CVCAN will continue to be the voice of the cannabis industry for the Coachella Valley. With our members continued support through these difficult times we will get through this together and become even stronger once things get back to normal.

We recognize that these are unsettling times and whether you are an existing member, or signing up for a membership now, or in the future, we want you to know that your safety and well-being is our first priority and that we are here with open doors and open hearts to serve you.

Sincerely

Brent Buhrman – CVCAN President

Upcoming CVCAN Events

Chronic Relief: 4/20/2020 – 12pm to 5pm PST – To register & for more info visit www.farechild.com – This CVCAN partnered event is in benefit of FeedingAmerica – Our mission is to unite the global cannabis community in celebration of 4/20 bringing entertainment, words of encouragement and the giving spirit to those in need.

Tokin’ Taco Tuesday: 4/21/2020 – 5pm to 6:30pm PST – https://zoom.us/j/94117311752 – A fun, interactive event presented by CVCAN. Hosts are CVCAN board members and Chef Brooke Egger, who will be demonstrating an infused Taco Recipe while discussing industry topics. Attendees have the ability to cook along with us and asks questions. This is a free event via Zoom.

Ingredient List for those who want to cook along with us.docx

Other Upcoming Events

Waldos Forever Fest – #420InPlace: 4/18/2020 – 4:20 PM – Virtual Online Event – The virtual 420 fest via Twitch will take place on Saturday, April 18th at 4:20pm with personalities from the community creating original content to unite, entertain, and ignite the cannabis community. Each segment will include appearances by local neighbors cooking with cannabis, blowing glass, bending neon, along with DJ sets, drag and performance art.

A NORML Party 50 years in the making: 4/19/2020 – 3:30pm to 5pm PST – www.lanorml.org – Join us as we celebrate NORML’s 50 year anniversary and take a journey through time and honor cannabis pioneers, new leaders, and future change-makers. This is a 100% online digital event that will take place on 4/19 at 3:30pm PST and will go until 5 pm PST. The event will stream live and is FREE to join!

Cannabis Genetics & Bioethics Virtual Conference: 4/20/2020 to 4/24/2020 – Free Registration Here – Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA) in partnership with HendRx Farm are hosting the first Cannabis Genetics & Bioethics Conference live online from April 20 to 24. HCGA expects up to 500 registrations for the 5-day conference which will be streamed via zoom.

Message from the Vice-President

We are so grateful to have you as members, and are confident that CVCAN is flexible and creative enough to deliver value to you and your company during these strange days. To that end, we substituted our April networking dinner with a conversation and Q & A with California’s State Treasurer, Fiona Ma and discussed the gap in financial relief at all levels of government for the cannabis industry and asked for what you all need. Coming up, we are taking part in the largest virtual 420 event in the country taking place this year, Chronic Relief, which should raise a substantial amount for Feeding America. And the day after, on 4/21, CVCAN’s own cannabis chef Brook Egger will use a virtual kitchen to help us prepare our dinner with Tokin’ Taco Tuesday. I know I am going to give that a try!

In other words, CVCAN is still here working hard for you. I am able to record my podcast, The Buzz on Ihub Radio, from home now and continue to find willing guests to join me in conversation about all things cannabis. You can find all the shows on any platform from which you listen to your podcasts or click HERE . If you are interested in being a guest, send me an email at jocelyn@coachellavalleycan.org

Additionally, we are preparing to ask all five cities in the Coachella Valley that regulate commercial cannabis to consider a moratorium on local taxation. While cannabis remains identified as “essential,” we are still seeing problems in the supply chain and consumers purchasing in an uneven way, at best. We are sure that the balance of 2020 will remain unpredictable, as millions of people will be without work and struggling to pay for essentials. If the industry is to keep employees working, some kind of help needs to be offered from the State and localities. We will be asking for relief in the area of local taxes but will try to balance that ask with the knowledge that local cities need revenue more than ever. Stay Tuned!

Our Executive Director Quentin Dusastre is still hard at work everyday and has his famous cannabis suit ready for the time very soon when we can see each other in person. Until then, don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know what you need.

Sincerely.

Jocelyn Kane – CVCAN Vice-President

CVCAN Member Highlights

This will be an ongoing feature in our newsletter, CVCAN MEMBERS: Please fill out this form and return it to Quentin@CoachellaValleyCan.org

Member Highlight Form.docx

New Growth Insurance, (NGI), was formed in 2016 by James Nelson to provide insurance coverage to the Cannabis, Hemp and CBD industries. NGI Specializes in this coverage. All aspects of the industry can be covered, General Liability, Product Liability, cultivation, retail, delivery, transport, manufacturing, Workers Compensation, commercial auto, D&O and E&O to name the main categories. We can cover buildings, tenant improvements, property, inventory, crop, finished stock, equipment breakdown, loss of business income, vehicles and more.

New Growth Insurance recently Moved to the Coachella Valley. Our Main Office is now located in Desert Hot Springs but we are licensed to do business in 26 States, coast to coast.

New Growth Insurance is listed as an Essential business and we are Open for Business in these Corona Virus troubled times. Please contact us. We’re here to help you! 510-734-9601  //  jnelson@newgrowthinsurance.com

For over 19 years we have been helping businesses build and evolve their brands through effective marketing strategies. Our clients include holding companies, manufacturers, dispensaries, consultants and ancillary businesses. We are strategic marketers, Google certified ad specialists, graphic designers, website developers, content creators, SEO, and GeoFencing experts.

It’s all about online sales and delivery right now. If you need your ecommerce site set up or help spreading the word about your products or services though Google Pay Per Click campaigns, GeoFencing or SEO, we can help. Give us a call, or schedule a marketing strategy session to see how we can increase your brand exposure and sales.

We offer a complimentary marketing strategy session, click HERE to schedule a time

CVCAN member special: 50% off your first month of PPC, or $500 off any new website or ecommerce site.

Contact us at 503-515-2219 or 800-208-0917  //  Nicole@nugdigitalmarketing.com

We are the cannabis professionals funding all aspects of the cannabis industry one project at at time.

Our team at Nationwide Cannabis Funding understands how costly launching or scaling a cannabis or hemp company can be. Our primary focus is to bring the right funding solutions for your project.

Contact us for for all your funding needs.

Brent@NationwideCannabisFunding.com  //  951-880-8848

Headset supplies the cannabis industry with real time updates on what’s happening with adult use sales and consumer trends in California. The team at Headset have been reporting on trends they’re seeing during COVID-19 and sharing on the Headset blog.

Headset’s help Retailers, Brands and Operators make more informed decisions through 3 softwares: Retailer, Bridge, Insights. Data is cool and if you want to learn more about Headset you can reach out to Jocelyn at jocelyn@headset.io or sales@headset.io.

Also, be sure to check out last week’s chat between Jocelyn Kane and Jocelyn Sheltraw, Headset’s Director of Strategy, on The Buzz. They talk about the data Headset is seeing through COVID-19 and why it’s important if you’re a cannabis business to get involved on a local and state policy level to see the changes you want in the industry.

Changes to Cannabis Consumer Behavior During COVID-19 & Pre 4/20 Predictions – By Headset

Highlighting notable changes from recent Headset analysis on changes in consumer product preference and predictions for 4/20 given the social distancing requirements.

Growth in Edibles 

Edibles have seen significant growth – sales are up 28% over their pre-COVID average. The data below is looking at sales pre-COVID (Jan 1, 2020 to March 6, 2020) to COVID crisis data running up to March 31.

Top edible brands in California continue to do well.  Kiva is a regular top edible brand but has seen 35% average growth during the COVID-19 crisis. Top selling product, Camino -Wild Cherry Gummies 20-Pack (100mg), is driving a lot of that, with a 115% increase in average daily sales over the pre-COVID period.

Declines in Pre-Rolls, larger purchases in Flower 

On the other hand, Pre-Roll are down significantly. This could be because of social isolation and people likely aren’t passing joints around. Also, Pre-Rolls (at least for regular shoppers) are often made in more visits, which people are generally trying to avoid right now.

People are also buying more flower. Headset published an analysis on Thursday looking at trends with premium flower producers and found that premium flower sales have stayed consistent, despite COVID-19 financial related hardships. People are also buying flower in bulk, with ounces seeing great growth.

• Lower Sales Volumes – Expect lower volumes than prior years, and prepare for them to be spread out throughout the week as opposed to in one day. Reducing crowds and having healthy sanitation practices is very important right now for the safety of patients and to show society that cannabis is an essential and respectful industry.

• Lower Average Discounts – 4/20 is notorious for high discounting but this will be significantly lower and Retailers should think about giving discounts throughout the week to encourage consumers to purchase early to avoid long lines and crowded stores.

• Higher Average Baskets – Expect higher average baskets next week compared to prior years.  People are shifting to pick up and delivery and delivery/pickup baskets in general see twice the size of in-store.
• More Social Media Sharing – Expect more instagram shares and stories and Zoom parties.

News Room

Across California, festivals and fairs fall victim to the coronavirus – Los Angeles Times – Events ranging from the San Bernardino County Fair to the Calaveras … to trek to Golden Gate Park on April 20, the cannabis holiday known as 4/20.

Cannabis Has Been Deemed “Essential” in California, But Can Businesses Survive COVID-19? – InsideHook – Just like breweries across the country have been deemed “essential” during the coronavirus shutdown, marijuana dispensaries in California have …

Cannabis companies want access to Covid-19 financial help – CNN – Ganja Goddess, a California cannabis delivery company, saw a steady uptick in business following the issuance of stay-at-home orders. “Something …

Marijuana lobby presses for coronavirus relief funds – The Hill – Cannabis groups are pushing for more states to allow legal marijuana markets to remain open and are seeking funds in state aid packages. But the push …

Federal Call To Action!

CVCAN is doing it’s best to work with our state and national partners to change this, but it is not an easy task. We need everyone’s help right now to ensure congress hears us!

Our friends & allies at The NCIA have put out a call to action to capitalize on the leadership of Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) who have sent a letter to congressional leadership asking that they address the exclusion of state legal cannabis and ancillary businesses from the recently passed CARES Act.

In order for these letters to be taken seriously by congressional leadership, we need to get as many members of Congress to sign on as possible.

Please call or email your Representative and Senators today and ask them to sign on to the letter.  You can find your member of Congress and how to contact them here – Contact Your Members of Congress.

If your member of congress has already signed on then please be sure to thank them for supporting the industry! 

Here is a short script you can use provided by the NCIA:

“Hi, I am calling/writing today to ask that you sign onto Congressman Blumenauer/Senator Rosen’s letter to leadership. This letter asks that state-legal cannabis businesses have access to Small Business Administration programs to ensure they have the financial capacity to undertake the public health and worker-focused measures experts are urging businesses to take. This current lack of access will undoubtedly lead to unnecessary layoffs, reduced hours, pay cuts, and furloughs for the workers of cannabis businesses who need support the most. As your constituent, I ask and urge that you sign on to Congressman Blumenauer/Senator Rosen’s letter as soon as possible. Our industry, our businesses, and our employees cannot wait.”