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

Pure Options lights up Lansing Pride with a cannabis oasis - City Pulse

3 days ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Get ready to unfurl those rainbow flags and maybe a blunt wrap or two. Pure Options is bringing a whole new dimension to this year’s Lansing Pride festivities Saturday. The business isn’t just showing up; it’s setting up shop on the hallowed asphalt of the Sir Pizza parking lot in Old Town, promising a chill, cannabis-friendly gathering space for all Pridegoers.
The smoker’s summer road trip: Michigan’s high-flying getaways - City Pulse

2 weeks ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Chris Silva

Summer is in full swing, and you know what that means: long days, good vibes and an urge to hit the open road. For those of us who like to appreciate Michigan’s natural beauty with a side of sticky green, I’ve put together the ultimate summer travel guide — destinations where the scenery is as breathtaking as the buzz.
Roadside drug tests threaten cannabis culture, not just impaired drivers - City Pulse

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 months 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

2 months 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

Mar 19, 2025 | 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.