Moxie CEO Hopes to Score Coveted N.J. Medical Pot License
*By Carlo Versano*
The competition is on for new medicinal marijuana licenses in New Jersey after Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy prioritized cannabis production when he took office. The CEO of one potential licensee, Moxie, thinks the state has "passed the tipping point" for accepting medical pot at the state level.
Jordan Lams, founder and CEO of the medicinal marijuana producer, told Cheddar as he awaited news on whether his company had been awarded one of the licenses that Moxie has a fully built-out, 16-acre farm and greenhouse operation at the ready ー which would help New Jersey get its operations up to scale quickly.
"The state can count on us to do what we say we will," he said.
Lams praised Gov. Murphy for "taking ownership" of medical marijuana policy after it had languished under previous administrations.
There is now so much pent-up demand from patients Lams said, that the state has concerns over shortages.
The license that Moxie hopes to win is a fully-integrated, "seed-to-sale" license, though Lams said he will also apply for licenses to just grow and process, if this one is not granted.
Lams, who started a career in medical marijuana after his younger sister died of leukemia, now advocates for responsible regulations in the nascent cannabis industry.
He said he's seeing a market that's "developing every day."
"Every day someone who never would have touched this before is really coming into the marketplace. It's global at this point."
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/moxie-vies-for-nj-medicinal-marijuana-license).
Tyson Foods is eliminating about 10 percent of corporate jobs and 15 percent senior leadership positions, according to a memo obtained by Reuters. The cuts are just the latest attempt to trim costs amid falling profits.
Verizon is taking steps to speed up its 5G network in rural areas. The company said it plans to extend its C-band 5G network across a larger suburban and rural footprint, meaning faster speeds for customers in those areas.
Facebook parent company Meta's first-quarter results surpassed Wall Street's modest expectations on both profit and revenue, sending its stock soaring in after-hours trading.
Another automaker is trying to cut its workforce to trim expenses and stay competitive as the industry makes the long and costly transition to electric vehicles.
The U.S. economy slowed sharply from January through March, decelerating to just a 1.1% annual pace as higher interest rates hammered the housing market and businesses reduced their inventories.
Applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell last week as the labor market continues to show strength despite some weakness in other parts of the economy.
Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes has avoided starting her more than 11-year prison sentence on Thursday by deploying the same legal maneuver that enabled her co-conspirator in a blood-testing hoax to remain free for an additional month.