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Cannasigliere was founded April 2021 as a post-prohibition advisory firm located in Upstate, New York. Since inception, Cannasigliere has faithfully adhered to its motto Acta Non Verba (Deeds not Words). This commitment is reflected in its active support for New York’s emerging cannabis industry, offering both expert guidance and technical support via the creation and maintenance of free community tools such as our highly popular and widely used Adult Use Municipal Tracking Map.
In addition to providing strategic consultation services to individuals, groups, municipalities, and institutions of higher learning; Cannasigliere works with thought-leaders across the state to educate New Yorkers on the cannabis industry, destigmatize participation, and ensure that those who have suffered most under prohibition are granted the right to participate in this multibillion-dollar industry.
The name "Cannasigliere" is a blend of "cannabis" and the term "consigliere." The latter is an Italian word, commonly used in both Italy and Sicily, that translates to "advisor" or "counselor." It holds a rich historical significance, dating back to medieval times when a consigliere ducale was the top adviser to the duke of a principality. This role took on a more infamous association in the 20th century with the Sicilian, American, and Calabrian mafias, as popularized in the movie "The Godfather," where a consigliere was a trusted advisor to the Don.
For us, the name Cannasigliere is not only a fun play on words but signifies the firm's unrelenting commitment to serve as a reliable guide and trusted advisor to our cannabis sector clients.
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Mike Doyle entered the cannabis industry in 2017, quickly ascending to prominent positions such as Director of Licensing and Regulation and Executive Vice President of New Markets for several vertically integrated cannabis companies. He has since advised clients throughout North America on license pursuit and operational strategy. Recently, Mr. Doyle has developed and taught cannabis courses at institutions of higher education and has published articles on New York's cannabis industry.
Prior to his foray into the cannabis sector, Mr. Doyle offered consultancy services for clients in over a dozen countries, managing a variety of complex projects. His work included developing contract-winning pursuit strategies for businesses and nonprofit organizations responding to RFPs, RFTs, RFQs, RFIs, FFPs, and SBIR/STTRs issued by organizations such as the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Energy (DoE).
In a new guest column, Mike Doyle encourages an ethos of 'consumer activism' where users demand higher standards, better safety protocols, and more transparent business practices from providers.
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NY Cannabis Insider is hosting a full-day “problems and solutions” summit at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany on May 18. Learn more and buy tickets here.I’ve always been fascinated by the story of King Pyrrhus of Epirus. Born in 319 B.C., Pyrrhus was the king of the Epirotes, a people separated from the fledgling Roman Republic by a narrow gap in the Ionian Sea. His life was one of glory and tragedy, culminating in a lesson that I contend every parent should teach their child, and every entrepreneur should bear in mind as they gleefully eye New York’s cannabis industry.
My own cannabusiness adventure reflects that of Pyrrhus’ experience in some ways. Now, before I’m accused of equating myself to a king and general who nearly conquered Ancient Rome, allow me to explain.Roughly two years ago, I penned a self-published article on LinkedIn titled “New York’s Cannabis Market: Cannabusiness, Carthage, and the Cunctator Crisis,” a similarly historical themed write-up meant to warn of the very real possibility that New York’s cannabis program would be insufferably delayed.
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New York’s legalization of cannabis early last year authorized the creation of several license types for cannabusinesses to pursue, including an “onsite consumption license.” This license type is defined by the Office of Cannabis Management as a license which “authorizes the acquisition, possession, and sale of cannabis from the licensed premises of the on-site consumption licensee to cannabis consumers for use at the on-site consumption location.”
While many municipalities have objected to allowing these types of establishments to operate within their borders, hundreds of municipalities have elected to welcome these cannabusinesses into their communities. But questions persist: What exactly are . . .
Does the idea of onsite cannabis consumption send a shiver down your spine? Or are you just unsure of what “onsite consumption” even means? Well, you’re not alone!
The unknowns surrounding these type of establishments have led many communities throughout New York, even those receptive to retail dispensaries, to opt out of the onsite consumption license types as permitted under New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act(MRTA).
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"Should your village, town, or city opt out of cannabis retail sales?"
Municipal leaders across the state have been grappling with this question ever since New York passed the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act(MRTA) earlier this year. The bill’s passage, which fully legalized adult-use cannabis, came as a bit of a surprise to even industry veterans, so it’s no wonder that local leaders have found themselves caught off-guard by the sudden legality and open consumption of a plant once demonized as a poison, psychotic,and sin. Nor can these leaders be blamed for confusions created by the state’s delay in forming the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) and Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the regulatory bodies tasked with writing the rules and regulations for NY’s industry.
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If you’re a history nerd like me, or just paid particularly good attention in school, then you might have heard of Hannibal Barca and how he famously brought his elephants over the Alps, demolished the Roman armies sent to stop him, and wreaked havoc throughout Rome’s Republic until his eventual defeat by Scipio Africanus at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC. Like most things, however, the full story is a bit more complicated.
The oft unspoken hero of the Second Punic War - during which the above events took place - was one Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus. Fabius, for short, earned the nickname Cunctator which is often translated as “the delayer”.
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