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

Roadside drug tests threaten cannabis culture, not just impaired drivers - City Pulse

1 week ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Six-and-a-half years after Michigan voted to embrace recreational cannabis, the state Legislature is gearing up to unleash a new roadside “tool” that smells less like public safety and more like a thinly veiled attack on cannabis consumers: oral drug tests. Two bills just sailed through the House Government Operations Committee, unanimous in their march toward potentially criminalizing countless law-abiding citizens who simply enjoy a bit of green.
Harvard study: Pot safer than tobacco for respiratory health - City Pulse

3 weeks ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

A recent study published in the journal Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology provides further scientific backing to the long-held position of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML: Cannabis smoking poses fewer pulmonary risks than tobacco smoking and is unassociated with an increased risk of emphysema.
Michigan’s cannabis industry isn’t a lost cause — yet - City Pulse

1 month 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

2 months 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

2 months 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

Mar 5, 2025 | 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

Feb 19, 2025 | 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.