Silver Linings and Vying for Optimism
The past few months have been a whirlwind for all of us, personally and professionally. It can be challenging to find silver linings, but they, no matter how small, can be invaluable in keeping us motivated and centered when things feel especially out of our control.
A huge silver lining for the industry is that cannabis businesses have been deemed essential in many states. While the hypocrisy of that, considering the industry’s still federally illegal status, is not lost on us, the “essential” status can only help the fight to end prohibition and the stigmas that persist in many voters’ and politicians’ minds.
A personal silver lining for me is that Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Dispensary, Cannabis Conference and, more recently, Hemp Grower, have played a part in helping plant-touching cannabis businesses succeed and have helped to strengthen this fledgling industry, prior to and during the current coronavirus pandemic. As many have commented in the pages of our magazines, this industry is not for the faint of heart; and each and every business that succeeds and thrives is a huge win for all of us.
In that vein, another personal silver lining is that we have been fortunate to be able to reschedule the Cannabis Conference 2020 (Sept. 1-3) and even more fortunate that nearly every single one of our 70-plus speakers and exhibitors have been able to recommit to the new dates. And the sense of hope and excitement to be able to get back to some semblance of normalcy and to connect in person with peers in this uniquely challenging industry has been truly inspiring.
We know that all cannabis businesses are facing intense pressures right now, and we want more than ever to continue to be a valuable resource to help you and your businesses thrive. At least for me, looking forward to the Cannabis Conference 2020 this fall has given me a renewed focus and sense of purpose: To provide the very best possible education we can to thank all of you at plant-touching cannabis businesses for your service.
There are many lessons to be learned from the current global pandemic and its impact on our personal lives and businesses. Our world will be forever changed. Now, more than ever, we have challenges and opportunities to discuss. We have more work than ever to do on navigating senseless federal regulations that continue to treat legitimate cannabis businesses like criminal operations and deny them of fundamental benefits, such as standard bank loans, tax deductions and bankruptcy filing, not to mention any of the aid that all other businesses are eligible for during this global crisis.
I won’t pretend I am not still anxious and afraid of many things currently happening. But I am working hard to be optimistic about our future, as a society, as individuals and as an industry. Two quotes have helped me significantly in that goal. One is a quote by Marcus Aurelius, which a co-worker recently shared with me: “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” The other is one of my favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes: “Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.”
Be safe. Be kind. Be courageous. Be optimistic.
I look forward to seeing you all at Cannabis Conference 2020 in September and to all that we will achieve there – together.
Sincerely, |
