What’s in store for the new year and the future of weed. The U.S. cannabis market continues to boom to little surprise, but some experts caution that growth may decline in 2022. With U.S. sales topping $37.4 billion in 2021, according to a Prohibition Partners’ report, most see the new year as another success for pot. Still, regulations on federal and local levels could kneecap America’s full potential. Another Strong Year Expected, But Growth Could Slow: Sources across the board told Benzinga that they agreed with the optimistic projection for 2022. Jessica Billingsley, CEO of enterprise cannabis tech platform Akerna Corp, said the first week of January helped bolster optimism, noting Montana’s strong adult-use opening. She also highlighted positive signs in the medical space, with Louisiana now allowing cannabis flowers in medical products. Billingsley said the U.S. would continue to provide a massive market impact, but its potential remains stymied by federal prohibition. “An entire untapped national economy in the U.S. can come from legal cannabis, including job creation and tax revenue, that we are missing out on by not federally legalizing cannabis,” Billingsley said. Andrew Fuller, senior market research analyst for data firm Headset hopes that bipartisan citizen support propels at least some form of federal reform in 2022.
420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 01/10/2022 19:00:00