For far too long, cannabis prohibition and its outdated status as a Schedule I substance have unduly harmed countless individuals affected by the failed War on Drugs and prevented critical research of its seemingly unlimited therapeutic potential. Finally, change is underway. In 2022, President Joe Biden directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a review of the cannabis plant as it relates to its current scheduling with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). And the results are in: The HHS recommended that cannabis be rescheduled to a Schedule III substance, a rema ..read more

Grab your cowboy hats and boots, it’s the best time of the year: Windy City Smokeout. The nearly-sold-out festival is chock-full of today’s best country’s music, barbecue’s top Pitmasters, and all-around guaranteed good times – trust us. Last summer, Verano debuted the first-ever Windy City Smokeout cannabis lounge, a BYOB (bring your own bud) option to sit down, relax, cool off, and smoke your joints or use your vapes. Chicagoans, Illinoisans, and Midwesterners from all over showed up and rolled up, sparking conversations, connections, and cannabis amidst the live music and alluring smells of ..read more

With Valentine’s Day in the air, we wanted to stop and smell the flowers, in more ways than one. Whether you consider yourself an everyday cannabis enthusiast or savor it on special occasions, there are countless reasons why cannabis is something worth celebrating on Valentine’s Day. From its wide-reaching health benefits to its knack for enhancing social activities, uncovering new ways of personal expression, and connecting us with nature – there’s nothing quite like this plant. And we’re not alone in this thought. Cannabis and Valentine’s Day, by the Numbers Ah, Valentine’s Day – the perfect ..read more

No one deserves to be imprisoned for nonviolent cannabis crimes.  This is the key tenant of Mission Green, founded by Weldon Angelos to fight for criminal justice reform through clemency efforts, advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and support services for affected people and their loved ones. With your help, we have taken significant strides in supporting Mission Green’s initiatives, all to support individuals unfairly punished by outdated laws.   In 2022, Verano’s efforts to support Mission Green and Weldon Angelos were a key focus in dispensaries. These prisoners of the War ..read more

Connecticut said yes to adult-use cannabis. January 10, 2023, marked the first sales of recreational cannabis in the state. Zen Leaf Meriden Dispensary was honored to receive the first adult-use customers of the state – and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. Take a look behind the scenes of the first day of adult-use cannabis sales in Connecticut: Chief Operating Officer Darren Weiss greats cannabis customers and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz.The first sale made at Zen Leaf Meriden.A line queued up to access adult-use cannabis in Connecticut for the first time, legally.The Zen Leaf sta ..read more

Microdosing is often associated with psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin, but it’s also an increasingly popular method of consuming cannabis. With microdosing cannabis becoming more mainstream, we talked to Danyal Swan, Digital Content Manager, about what microdosing is, its benefits, and how to try it for yourself.  What is Microdosing? Microdosing involves taking a tiny dose of a drug so that you can experience some of its therapeutic benefits without impairing your cognitive abilities. As the name implies, this dose is typically a fraction of what you might consider a regular dose ..read more

We all want to be polite and avoid faux pas in social situations–cannabis consumption is no exception. And if you’re new to cannabis, you may not be familiar with the “unwritten rules” of cannabis culture. To help those in recreational states get up to speed, we’ve compiled a list of etiquette recommendations to help you enjoy cannabis socially.  Verano Cannabis Consumption Tips Hostess with the mostest. If you’re having people over and offering them cannabis, it’s always a good idea to have something to eat and drink. Water is always welcome, and gum can help with dry mouth, which some p ..read more

Despite the fact that cannabis is now legal in most states, hazy misconceptions have lingered long after the War on Drugs. Part of this confusion stems from the social stigma of ‘just say no,’ and the fact that scientists were unable to conduct adequate research on cannabis during its decades-long prohibition. But today, we know more about cannabis than ever before, and we’re thrilled to debunk some of the most common myths surrounding this powerful plant. Myth #1 The only way to consume cannabis is by smoking it. While many people are more familiar with the idea of smoking a joint than, say ..read more

Although the cannabis industry continues to flourish, the number of women working in leadership positions has been in steep decline over the course of the pandemic. In 2021, MJBizDaily reported that woman-identifying executive representation had dropped to 22 percent; down from 36.8% in 2019, and far below the national average of 30% female leadership across all industries.  At Verano, we believe the time for gender equality in cannabis is now. So we’re actively dedicated to shining a light on gender inequity in cannabis, hiring deserving women for open positions, and maintaining a positi ..read more

Although cannabis is now legal for medical or recreational use in most U.S. states, a significant number of Americans remain incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses—many of whom are people of color. At Verano, we believe that the ‘War on Drugs’ and its dangerous, “just say no” rhetoric has devastated marginalized communities for far too long. We support the complete end to cannabis prohibition at the federal level and honor the important steps currently being taken to decriminalize cannabis. But we also recognize that decriminalization is not enough: Wrongfully imprisoned individuals deserv ..read more