Chris Silva

Vice President Analyst at Gartner

Father, gadget-obsessed native Bostonian without the accent. Research VP at Gartner but views expressed here are my own.

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Articles

Michigan’s cannabis industry isn’t a lost cause — yet - City Pulse

2 weeks ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Michigan’s legal cannabis market is teetering on the brink of collapse. Drowning in a self-inflicted tidal wave of oversupply, thanks to the state’s rubber stamping of cultivation licenses, and besieged by the parasitic growth of an unregulated black market, the industry is screaming for a lifeline. But are Lansing’s deaf ears finally ready to listen? Long gone are the rosy predictions of endless profits.
Michigan’s cannabis industry is facing its darkest hour - City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

A storm is brewing over Michigan’s once-vibrant cannabis industry. A green rush has turned into a relentless race to the bottom, leaving operators grappling with razor-thin margins and an uncertain future. The numbers are stark: Cannabis flower’s wholesale price has plummeted to around $39 per ounce, a staggering decrease compared to a year ago. Fluctuating retail sales dipped from December through February before a slight recovery in March.
The price is right: The 2025 420 Gift Guide - City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Posted Wednesday, April 16, 2025 7:53 am This year, 420 comes at a tumultuous and perilous time for Michigan’s cannabis industry. The stoner holiday is already known for its steep discounts and massive freebies, and this year will be no different.
Scandals, legal battles cast shadow over cannabis testing giant - City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

The legal woes mounting against Viridis Laboratories, one of Michigan’s largest cannabis testing facilities, are not occurring in a vacuum. A recent proposal for decision by an administrative law judge, siding with the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency and upholding a massive 2021 marijuana recall, adds to a disturbing pattern of questionable practices and regulatory scrutiny surrounding the company and its key figures.
Beyond gummies: Hey! Captain redefines cannabis edibles - City Pulse

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

The first bite of a freeze-dried Star Baby is a revelation: an airy crunch that melts on the tongue, releasing a burst of tangy sweetness, followed by a potent wave of relaxation. Forget the chewy monotony of gummies; Hey! Captain edibles are a game changer in cannabis consumption. Hilary Dulany, the savvy force behind Lansing’s Aardvark Industrees, hasn’t just launched another edible brand — she’s paying homage to a pioneer and challenging the market’s status quo.
Michigan’s cannabis excise tax: A local-level lifeline under siege - City Pulse

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Michigan’s legal cannabis industry, a relatively recent addition to the state’s economic landscape, has become a significant revenue generator. The cornerstone of this revenue stream is the 10% excise tax levied on retail cannabis sales. This tax, paid by consumers at the point of purchase, feeds into the state Marihuana Regulation Fund, managed by the Department of Treasury and the Cannabis Regulatory Agency.
Whitmer’s proposed cannabis tax hike sparks fury - City Pulse

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Michigan’s cannabis industry, already reeling from oversupply and plummeting prices, is facing a new threat: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed 32% wholesale tax on recreational marijuana. The tax, part of her ambitious budget plan to fund road repairs, has ignited a firestorm of backlash from operators who say the move could decimate an already fragile market. Whitmer’s proposal aims to generate an additional $470 million for infrastructure, but industry leaders argue the timing couldn’t be worse.
2025: The toughest year yet for Michigan’s cannabis industry - City Pulse

Jan 22, 2025 | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Last year was nothing short of a rollercoaster for Michigan’s 5-year-old legal cannabis industry, but 2025 is shaping up to be even more turbulent. Industry insiders are bracing for volatility that could wipe out 20 to 30% of producers. The state’s legal market brought in more than $3 billion in sales in 2024, with the average price of an ounce dipping just below $70 by year’s end. But as we move into 2025, the pressure is mounting, and the turmoil is far from over.
As Michigan’s pot market grows, so do health problems - City Pulse

Jan 7, 2025 | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

In the five years since Michigan legalized adult-use cannabis, the plant and its effects — positive and negative — have received increasing attention and mainstream acceptance. As cannabis has emerged from the shadows, more products have entered the market, and with that increase, negative interactions are now being documented for the first time, making the statistics appear overwhelming.
Local cannabis pioneer forges a new path in the industry - City Pulse

Dec 10, 2024 | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Eddie Saade, a 44-year-old Lansing native, has transformed a personal tragedy into a mission to help others through his cannabis company, Apex Cannabis. Prior to venturing into cannabis, Saade’s career revolved around helping youth, first as a counselor for kids coming out of juvenile detention and later as a high school counselor and football coach, a position he recently retired from after more than 20 years.