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AAPI Heritage Month & the Cannabis Industry: Honoring Roots, Shaping the Future

May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to recognize the diverse cultures, contributions, and resilience of AAPI communities across the United States. From early immigrants who helped build America's railroads and agricultural backbone to modern leaders in medicine, technology, and entrepreneurship, the AAPI legacy is woven into the fabric of American progress.

In the cannabis industry, AAPI representation continues to grow—though not without challenges. Historically underrepresented due to cultural stigma, immigration barriers, and criminalization, AAPI entrepreneurs, researchers, and advocates are now helping redefine cannabis in business, science, and policy. From cannabinoid research to retail ownership and social equity advocacy, AAPI voices are vital to an inclusive and global cannabis future.

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What’s on the Docket

Texas is considering expanding its medical marijuana program. Massachusetts has launched an online platform for job seekers in the cannabis industry. Meanwhile, an American basketball player working in Indonesia has been arrested for allegedly smuggling cannabis. We bring you some more cannabis-related job opportunities from around the country and insights from an AAPI banking industry insider.

Cannabis in Los Angeles and Beyond

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Cal State East Bay has partnered with a cannabis certification program to help bolster the cannabis workforce in California. Read more on CBS.

Also of note in California, the Department of Cannabis Control has announced that they’re devising new rules to help prevent pets from ingesting THC. Read more on LAist.

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In New Mexico, tax revenue generated by recreational cannabis will fund a Universal Basic Income (UBI) for low-income residents in Albuquerque. Read more on Leafie.

The Texas House has passed bills (HB 46, HB 4014, HB 4813) to expand the state’s medical marijuana program and support psychedelic research. Read more on Marijuana Moment.

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The Illinois House Committee has passed a bill (SB 42) that would prevent police from stopping and/or detaining motorists based solely on the smell of cannabis. Read more on Marijuana Moment.

Wisconsin cannabis lovers will have to wait a bit longer for legalization, as lawmakers have nixed provisions in the state budget that would have created a regulated, adult-use cannabis market. Read more on Ganjapreneur.

Michigan's cannabis industry is facing economic pressures due to oversupply and falling prices. In April, sales dropped to $270 million, with the average price of flower hitting a new low of $62 per ounce. Read more on The ‘Gander.

Minneapolis has expanded its park smoking ban to include cannabis, effective May 15, 2025. Violators won't face fines but may be asked to leave. Additionally, park vendors are now permitted to sell low-dose THC edibles and drinks, though many are delaying rollout due to regulatory hurdles. Read more on Axios.

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New York’s cannabis industry has hit a bit of turbulence due to budget fluctuations, production investigations, and mounting criticisms toward regulators. Read more on Business of Cannabis. 

Massachusetts job seekers looking for a cannabis career may be in luck, as state regulators have launched an online platform for job seekers. Currently, only individuals who are part of a Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) equity program will be eligible to apply, but after June 19th, the general public can also apply. Read more on Marijuana Moment.

Cannabis sales in the states raked in over $30 billion last year, a 4.5% year-over-year increase, according to the Vangst Jobs Report. Read more on NORML.

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Abroad

According to new data, in Uruguay, the first country to legalize cannabis, overall cannabis use has decreased by about 12%, the illicit market has dwindled, and problematic cannabis use has stayed static at about 2% for the last 15 years. Read more on Benzinga.

In keeping with legalizing cannabis, a new Swiss study suggests that legalizing cannabis can lower instances of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Read more on Leafie.

Pakistan's federal cabinet approved regulations for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to advance industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis production. The rules set a 0.3% THC limit and establish a licensing and compliance framework. Read more on the Cannabis Law Report.

Get Your Tax Ducks in a Row: What You Need to Know About Amended Returns for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC)

Did your business claim the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) recently—or are you thinking about it? If so, you might have some homework to do with your taxes. The IRS has issued new guidance to make sure businesses stay on the right side of the rules when it comes to amending tax returns. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s the ERC Again?

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a refundable tax credit designed to reward businesses that kept employees on the payroll during the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you didn’t claim the ERC when you originally filed your payroll tax returns (Form 941), don’t worry —you can still go back and claim it using an amended return (Form 941-X).

But here’s the catch: claiming the ERC isn’t the end of the story. Once you get that refund, it might change your business’s income tax return. Why? Because the IRS doesn’t allow you to double-dip, meaning you can’t take a deduction for wages paid and also claim a credit for those same wages.

Why Does This Matter?

Let’s say you paid wages in 2021 that you later claimed for the ERC. Even if you get your ERC refund check in 2025, the IRS requires you to go back and amend your 2021 income tax return to reduce your wage deductions. This step is vital to ensure your tax filings are accurate and to avoid potential IRS scrutiny.

What’s New from the IRS?

In March 2025, the IRS made a few updates to help simplify the process (yes, you read that right—simplify!). Here’s what’s different: 

1. Electronic Filing for Amended Payroll Returns: You can now file Form 941-X electronically, which speeds up processing and reduces the chances of errors. No more waiting forever for paper filings to be processed!

2. When to File: The IRS made it clear that you should only file Form 941-X after you’ve filed the original Form 941 for that quarter. Filing them out of order could lead to delays or mistakes.

3. Amend the Right Tax Year: The IRS emphasized that your amended income tax return (e.g., Form 1120-X for corporations) should reflect the year the wages were paid—not the year you received the ERC refund. For example, if the wages were paid in 2021, that’s the year you’ll need to amend, even if the refund check arrives years later.

What Should You Do?

If your business has claimed (or plans to claim) the ERC, here are a few steps you should take:

• Amend Your Income Tax Return: Don’t forget to adjust your deductions for the year the qualified wages were paid. This step is critical to stay compliant with IRS rules.

• Use the New Electronic Filing Option: Filing Form 941-X electronically can save you time and headaches.

• Stay Organized: Make sure you’ve filed the original Form 941 before submitting Form 941-X.

Why This Matters to You

Filing amended returns might not be the most exciting part of running a business, but it’s essential to avoid penalties and keep your tax records in top shape. Plus, these adjustments ensure you’re following the rules while still benefiting from the ERC.

Do you Need Help With ERC Claims?

This isn’t something for the layman to “DIY.” Contact your tax professional, or give us a call for more information on claims, refunds, and/or amended returns.

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© 2025 California State Fair Cannabis Awards

Upcoming Events

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The Situation Report

News - U.S.

Authorities discovered human remains at an unlicensed marijuana grow site in Northern California after a landowner reported a missing worker. The case is being treated as a homicide. Read more on SFGATE.

The APD (Austin Police Department) now says it will not hold or arrest people for possessing small amounts of marijuana, this coming after an appeals court shot down the city’s decriminalization last month. Read more on KUT News.

In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that economic losses stemming from personal injuries are actionable under civil RICO. This expands liability risks for cannabis companies over product mislabeling, as seen in a case where a trucker was fired after using mislabeled CBD. Read more on Reuters.

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News Abroad

An American expat basketball player, Jarred Shaw, has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis into Indonesia. He faces the death penalty or life in prison for the charge. Read more on ABC News.

A brother and sister in Birmingham, U.K., have been sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison for stabbing a man to death for not selling them more cannabis (according to reports, the sister still owed the victim £200 for a previous cannabis buy). Read more on Sky News.

A 62-year-old former Ryanair pilot has been charged in Ireland after authorities seized over €10 million worth of cannabis at his residence. Due to concerns about flight risk, bail has been denied. The Gardaí allege that O’Meara has ties to international criminal organizations. Read more on The Times.

Criminal networks are increasingly exploiting disparities in cannabis laws between countries, using regions with relaxed regulations as transit points to smuggle cannabis into countries with stricter laws. Read more on The Guardian.

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Insight(s): Alan Gaul, Vice President of TASI Bank.

Image provided by: Mr. Alan Gaul

Both Bank of Guam (r) and its San Francisco-based subsidiary, TASI (r) Bank, have had a long and productive history in the cannabis industry. For a decade, they have been involved in industry organizations, attended conferences and exhibitions, and worked closely with regulators to ensure that they can serve the broad spectrum of companies involved in the industry. As a result, both serve the three tiers of the industry and maintain productive relationships with regulators, growers, dealers, distributors, retailers, manufacturers, and the supporting infrastructure systems. We continually monitor legislative and regulatory issues. As a result, we are both a service provider and an information source to our cannabis clients. TASI Bank serves customers in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.

TASI Bank, headquartered in San Francisco, is also a Minority Depository Institution (MDI) and is well-positioned to work with business owners who are often overlooked by larger financial institutions. Many regional and national banks remain underrepresented in serving community business owners, who are often overlooked by larger financial institutions."

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Jobs

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Job Title: Packaging Manager
Location: Lakeville, MA
Salary: Not provided.

Jushi Holdings, Inc. strives to be a world-class leader in cannabis and hemp. Their mission is to create an integrated global community of wellness, mindfulness, and connections through superior quality.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or business

• 3-5 years of relevant technical experience in a consumer packaging environment

• Must be able to work in hot or cold environments for extended periods of time with exposure to dust, allergens, and water.

Ideal candidates will have advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, the ability to build strong relationships within a team and with cross-functional partners, and experience in all areas related to cannabis processing, including curing, trimming, and packaging.

Benefits: May include medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, paid holidays, and 401(k).

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Job Title: Account Manager
Location: Irvine, CA
Salary:  $67,000 - $84,000

WeedMaps is a tech company serving the cannabis industry, serving cannabis to consumers and businesses in the U.S. and worldwide

Requirements:

• BS/BA degree or equivalent experience

• Minimum 1 year of experience in digital sales or account management in a client/customer-facing role

• Proven track record of hitting goals and revenue targets

Ideal candidates will already have experience in the cannabis industry, be confident in presenting to clients, be comfortable in a fast-paced environment, and have strong organizational and planning skills.

Benefits: WeedMaps offers an extensive benefits package including parental leave, medical, dental & vision, and other perks.

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Job Title: Brand Specialist
Location: Durango, CO (Hybrid)
Salary: $50,000 to $60,000

Bud & Mary's is a premier cannabis operator with a portfolio of brands dedicated to providing top-tier products and exceptional consumer experiences.

Requirements:

• 21 years of age

• Reliable transportation and a willingness to travel >150 miles to accounts.

• Proven experience in brand marketing or a related field.

Ideal candidates will have experience with content creation and graphic design, 3+ years of cannabis experience, and be familiar with SEO and analytics tools.

Benefits: 401(k) matching, health insurance, dental insurance, employee assistance program, employee discount, and more.

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