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Kristen Nichols

Kristen is a Denver-based reporter for Marijuana Business Daily specializing in the hemp and CBD industries. Previously, she worked at the Associated Press for nearly 20 years. She started covering the marijuana legalization movement in 2009 – when medical stores started popping up around Denver – and wrote about the state’s first legal hemp harvest. Kristen also covered agriculture and politics in Maryland and her home state of Georgia.

Hemp beverage maker acquires alkaline water manufacturer

Published April 13, 2021

A North Carolina company that makes carbonated drinks with hemp seed oil has acquired a company that bottles high-alkaline water.

The Soul of a Store: How to recruit and retain the right retail staffers

Published April 13, 2021 | By Solomon Israel

You’ve found the perfect location and designed your dream dispensary—now it’s time to recruit the staff who will bring your store to life.

Startup raises $5.3 million to boost drones for hemp production

Published April 12, 2021

An Irish startup looking to see more farmers growing hemp and using drones to do so has locked down $5.3 million (4.5 million Euros) to get going.

5 strategies to fight overly restrictive hemp regulations

Published April 9, 2021 | By Beth Collins and Chris Guillen

Hemp cultivation is a burgeoning industry in California with huge potential.

Idaho lawmakers agree to allow hemp cultivation, marking 50th state

Published April 8, 2021

Idaho, the only state that still bans hemp cultivation, could join its neighbors under a hemp-authorization measure that awaits the governor’s signature.

3 ways cannabis extraction equipment makers are innovating

Published April 8, 2021 | By Bart Schaneman

Cannabis extraction equipment represents one of the most innovative sectors in the industry, with new products and constantly evolving techniques for processing raw plant material.

Report: PepsiCo launches hemp beverage in Germany

Published April 7, 2021

Rockstar Energy, a drink brand owned by PepsiCo, has launched a line of hemp-infused drinks in Germany.

DEA extraction rule driving hemp processors out of business, Congressmen warn

Published April 6, 2021

Some hemp processors are closing rather than navigate rules issued by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration about elevated THC levels, two members of Congress told the agency in opposing the rules.

New York marijuana law makes sweeping changes to hemp rules, too

Published April 6, 2021 | By Kristen Nichols

New York’s new marijuana law includes a dramatic overhaul to how the state’s hemp industry is regulated, potentially sending a flood of hemp operators to the higher-THC side of the industry.

Intellectual property takes on growing role in cannabis deals

Published April 5, 2021 | By John Rebchook

Intellectual property is playing an increasingly important role in cannabis industry acquisitions and other deals as businesses look to get a leg up on rivals by purchasing or investing in companies holding valuable patents, trade secrets, copyrights and trademarks.

Closely watched Colorado CBD patent lawsuit dropped

Published April 2, 2021

Colorado-based United Cannabis (UCANN) dropped a landmark CBD-related patent lawsuit against Pure Hemp Collective, leaving the legal issue unresolved.

An infographic showing how chromatography and degradation work to remove THC from hemp oil.

Remove THC or degrade it? Cannabis extractors say there’s room for both

Published April 1, 2021 | By Kristen Nichols

Cannabis extractors have long relied on chromatography to dial up or down the many cannabinoids in hemp and marijuana plants. But degradation is getting new attention.

February Update: Kristen Nichols Interviews HIA Executive Director Jody McGinness

January Update: Kristen Nichols Interviews HIA Executive Director Jody McGinness

December Update: Kristen Nichols Interviews HIA Executive Director Jody McGinness