💸 The Tape

Meet The New Ranking Member Of The Cannabis Caucus (That Matters)

A new voice is stepping up on Capitol Hill to shape federal cannabis policy—and if you’re a savvy investor keeping tabs on this booming industry, you’ll want to pay close attention. Enter U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), who’s just been tapped to co-chair the nearly eight-year-old Congressional Cannabis Caucus. That’s no small feat, considering it’s one of the few bipartisan caucuses focused on American marijuana policy, a sector pegged for multi-billion-dollar growth once the federal government finally decides to catch up.

Titus, a longtime advocate for Nevada’s cannabis industry, sees enormous opportunity in normalizing the plant at the federal level. Right now, marijuana businesses are stuck in a regulatory twilight zone, forced to pay punitive taxes and navigate a complex banking system—if they can find a bank willing to serve them at all. Titus aims to use her new co-chair platform to tackle these thorny issues, leveling the playing field so cannabis operators can, in her words, “get the tax breaks and banking benefits of other small businesses.”

Of course, there’s the pesky matter of marijuana’s Schedule I status, meaning it’s still classified alongside heroin and LSD as having “no currently accepted medical use.” That federal label keeps Veterans Affairs from recommending it for PTSD, and it discourages major universities like UNLV from jumping headfirst into research, fearing they’ll lose their federal grants. Titus wants to see that change—fast. With many states now approving adult recreational use and an even wider swath allowing medical programs, the congresswoman contends the federal government is behind the times.

Don’t expect her to do this quietly. Titus has noted that it’s high time (pun intended) Washington recognizes not only the economic benefits but also the scientific angles behind cannabis. She cites the Department of Justice’s proposal to reschedule marijuana, plus the DEA’s recent hearing in Virginia, as signs that some momentum is building. But she also understands how slow gears can turn in D.C.

With Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), one of the caucus’s founders, bowing out of Congress, the spotlight is now firmly on Titus. If she has her way, investors may soon see real federal reforms—ones that could unlock new institutional capital, reduce tax burdens, and even spur more academic research. In other words, keep your eye on Titus and the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. They might just be the next big catalyst for America’s green gold rush.

📈 Dog Walkers

Curaleaf Expands Hemp Offerings

Curaleaf is shaking up Dry January with its new Select Zero Proof Seltzer—now in a 2.5 mg hemp THC can, joining the original 5 mg lineup. Think of it as a smart, session-able twist on the usual seltzer scene, boasting crowd-pleasing flavors like Black Cherry, Grapefruit, and Watermelon. Beyond the bar, it’s a low-cal, artificial-flavor-free option that caters to the sober-curious, sporting top-notch cGMP credentials. As more adults discover hemp-derived THC’s Wild West, Curaleaf’s strict protocols—complete with potency labeling and QR-code test results—make it more Manhattan than Mojave. The company’s eyeing a slice of the massive unregulated hemp market, bringing the professional standards it honed in the regulated cannabis space to this new frontier. With more hemp products planned for 2025, including online and retail expansion, Curaleaf seems poised to corner your next social gathering—no hangover required.

The Vision Is Clear

Agrify is trading its vertical farms for boozy-free buzz, selling its entire cultivation business to CP Acquisitions, an entity affiliated with ex-CEO Ray Chang. This tidy deal eliminates roughly $7 million in convertible notes while pivoting Agrify’s strategy toward hemp-derived THC beverages—like the award-winning Señorita THC Margarita. Chairman and Interim CEO Ben Kovler sees the shift as a chance to “simplify” and drive growth in adult-beverage alternatives, especially for trendsetters celebrating “Dry January.” Meanwhile, Chang happily snaps up Agrify’s cultivation assets—Vertical Farming Units, turnkey solutions, and Agrify Insights software—to maintain a separate focus on growing green. For investors, it’s a sleek reshuffle: Agrify cashes in on the cannabis drinks craze, while Chang salvages the hardware. Cue the tagline “Más Señorita,” as Agrify bets that hemp-infused sips beat out vertical grows in a splashier 2025.

🗞️ The News

Agrify Closes Sale of its Cultivation Business

Former Texas Governor Who Served In Trump’s Cabinet Says President-Elect’s Health Picks Are A ‘Great Gift’ For Psychedelics Reform

Florida Government Agencies Couldn’t Fire Workers For Off-Duty Medical Marijuana Use Under New Bill

39-year-old’s cannabis business brings in $800,000 a month—16 years after he went to prison for selling drugs

What cannabis investors should watch for in 2025

📺 YouTube

2024's Top Interviews: From VP JD Vance to Senator Rand Paul & More | Trade to Black

What we covered:

✅ On our Trade To Black podcast at 11 AM est, we're featuring the top interviews from 2024.

Our list includes interviews with Vice President JD Vance, who shares his stance on SAFE banking, along with Senator Rand Paul and Congresswoman Nancy Mace. Each of these politicians provided different perspectives on SAFE banking and cannabis reform heading into 2025.

We also have Curaleaf (OTC: CURLF) Chairman and CEO, Boris Jordan, who provided some interesting dialogue on the industry's direction in 2025 and the impact of the hemp industry and farm bill on marijuana.

Lastly, we feature a recent interview with Big Mike from Advanced Nutrients. He shared with us a recent conversation he had with Donald Trump's campaign manager, Bryan Lanza, who believes rescheduling will be announced within the first 60-90 days of the Trump administration entering the White House on January 20, 2025.