Thanks to Amber for coming up with her term, “Empty Licences”.
You could almost call them ghost licenses .
The state, any state in the union, through the process of legislation & statute has decided on a range of license options for cannabis and cannabis supporting businesses and then the relevant commission or body has to manage ( I prefer “sell”) these licenses .
Amber explains using the examples of “Transport”, “Social Equity” and even “Waste Disposal” how some licenses are being issued when in reality there is either no need for them or there’s a dream being sold (think social equity) that can quickly turn into a nightmare.
Canny operators and businesses are finding it hard enough to negotiate the myriad of issues and complications across multiple states and many of those businesses know that they have to have deep pockets in order just to get a business up and running.
Unfortunately others no so au fait with government administrative procedure and mores of doing business are being caught in a trap, purchasing nigh on pointless licenses and then being fleeced in the process of trying to turn those licenses into an operating business.
The simple message is
BUYER BEWARE
A big thankyou to Amber for applying some critical thought to an issue we all know exists but are at a loss as to creating effective across the board solutions for those more susceptible to being exploited due to the way that the cannabis industry has developed over the last decade in North America.
Amber Lengacher
Attorney | Compliance & Policy expert driving social equity in the cannabis industry and other emerging industries.
Paramount to my professional journey stands a deep-rooted commitment to social justice and regulatory excellence. My mission, infused with a passion for cannabis and other emerging industries, is driven by a dedication to advocacy, which fuels my work at my company, Purple Circle. There, I focus on delivering affordable licensing and compliance consulting services, as well as government affairs support, ensuring that emerging industries are accessible to all. Purple Circle’s efforts to promote equity within the industry are further complemented by partnerships with social justice organizations, such as BIPOCann, reflecting a comprehensive approach to industry leadership and community support.
Additionally, as a Subject Matter Expert in compliance for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, I leverage my legal acumen and industry-specific knowledge to empower social equity cannabis businesses. In conjunction with my role at Kight Law Office, these positions allow me to contribute significantly to shaping an inclusive and fair cannabis (including hemp) industry landscape.
Source: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-d-lengacher-06948240/
