How AJA Acres Strives to Increase Diversity and Inclusion in the Hemp Industry

Nicole Carter, founder and CEO of AJA Acres, gives an inside look into the company’s operations and social equity and community efforts.

Nicole Carter, Founder and CEO, AJA Acres

Nicole Carter, Founder and CEO, AJA Acres

Courtesy of AJA Acres

Andriana Ruscitto

October 13, 2022

Sitting on 6 acres in Elora, Tenn., is AJA Acres, a minority woman-owned hemp farm that cultivates and manufactures CBD health and beauty products and is dedicated to increasing minority farmer representation in the hemp and CBD industries.

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10 Alabama CBD Stores, Vape Shops Raided; 4 Hemp Businesses Sue State

Alabama Governor Signs Bill to Regulate THC Products, Ban Smokable Hemp

Judge Sends Alabama Medical Cannabis Licensing Back to Square One

Alabama Court Halts Medical Cannabis Licensing Process—Again

10 Alabama CBD Stores, Vape Shops Raided; 4 Hemp Businesses Sue State

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and other agencies executed search warrants as a new law banning certain hemp products is set to take effect July 1.

Alabama State Bureau of Investigation Major Crimes Chief Shawn Loughridge (center) talks about a multiagency operation that executed a series of warrants and seizures on June 23 at 10 CBD stores and vape shops in five cities.

Alabama Governor Signs Bill to Regulate THC Products, Ban Smokable Hemp

The legislation, which goes into effect July 1, also places a 10% excise tax on consumable hemp products and allows warrantless product seizures.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey

Judge Sends Alabama Medical Cannabis Licensing Back to Square One

Circuit Judge James Anderson ruled that the state regulators’ emergency rule, established for a late 2023 licensing process, is void.

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Alabama Court Halts Medical Cannabis Licensing Process—Again

A Montgomery County circuit judge issued the order Jan. 3, temporarily blocking the state’s third attempt at licensing medical cannabis facilities to serve patients.

Alabama Flag Adobe Stock Credit Lulla Resized2

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Top10 December

Trulieve Awarded Alabama Cannabis License; Verano, INSA, TheraTrue Left Out

The four highest ranking applicants from a blind, third-party scoring process were all omitted from the state’s licensing do-over.

Alabama Integratedlicenses

Alabama Awards 20 Medical Cannabis Licenses in Yet Another Do-Over

The state’s regulators are hoping the third time is the charm to ignite a commercial marketplace for patients with qualifying conditions.

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Alabama Regulators Announce Plans to Issue Medical Cannabis Licenses in December

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission will award cultivator, processor, dispensary, secure transporter and testing lab licenses Dec. 1 and integrated facility licenses Dec. 12.

Alabama Flag Adobe Stock Credit Lulla Resized2

Alabama Plans to Award Medical Cannabis Business Licenses by End of 2023 as Verano Lawsuit Dismissed

The Alabama State House where the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission meets.

With $50K Check From Verano in Hand, Alabama Cannabis Regulators Plan Another Licensing Do-Over

The term “void” as it relates to Alabama’s licensing statute is “made up,” Verano’s Executive VP of Legal, Regulatory and Government Affairs says.

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Verano CEO Says Alabama Patients Deserve Better Than ‘Years of Litigation’ in Open Letter to Governor

George Archos, whose company filed a lawsuit over a license that was voided, indicated that Verano remains ready to invest $40 million.

Verano CEO George Archos (left) and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.

Verano Sues Alabama Regulators Over Voided Licenses

The multistate operator was one of 21 awardees in a medical cannabis licensing process that is now in question.

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