Hot off the press, CBE was informed by a reliable source this morning that Marijuana Business Daily (MBD) President and Publisher, George Jage, who had been working in that capacity since 2014, left the company abruptly. Subsequent calls to executives at the company including Co-Founders Anne Holland and Cassandra Farrington, as well as Editorial Director Chris Walsh, have not been returned. But the company’s daily newsletter, that we received at 2:04 PM EST today, confirmed his departure.

I spoke to George briefly a few minutes ago and, understandably, he refused to comment.

George, who I met for the first time after his hiring in 2014, brought a wealth of conference building experience to MBD after a successful run building the World Tea Expo, and a stint as director of The Beverage Group at F+W Media Inc. He oversaw the expansion and growth of what has become the cannabis industry’s leading trade show and exposition business, highlighted by last November’s jaw-dropping packed house at Marijuana Business Expo at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. CBE estimated that show generated in excess of $8.5 million in gross revenue. During his tenure, MBD was ranked #17 in the 2016 CBE 100 Ancillary Business list with revenues estimated to be between $10 million to $15 million.

MBD, a division of Anne Holland ventures based out of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, publishes the monthly magazine, Marijuana Business Magazine; the daily newsletter, Marijuana Business Daily; The Marijuana Business Facebook; and the Marijuana Business License Directory; as well as the Spring Marijuana Business Conference & Expo that is scheduled for May 17-19 in Washington, DC.

In a carefully worded statement in today’s MBD newsletter, Farrington said the position will not be filled, but the company plans to make key strategic hires in other areas. “George joined the team prior to the third annual Marijuana Business Conference & Expo, when the industry-leading trade show had seen great success and was set to grow into a much larger venue in Las Vegas,” Farrington said. “I am grateful for his contributions in helping to drive the event operations, which helped support the exponential growth the show has experienced. We wish George all the best in his future endeavors.”

At 3:04 PM today, CBE received the following reply to our calls to MBD executives from Farrington in the form of an e-mail.

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Hi Rob,

Your message landed with me. FYI, Anne (Holland) has not been in an active operational role with MJBizDaily for several years. George reported directly to me in his role with MJBizDaily.

The company will not be commenting beyond what is in the news piece on our site.

Regards,

Cassandra

Cassandra Farrington | CEO, Marijuana Business Daily

2750 S. Wadsworth Blvd Suite D200, Denver CO 80227

401.354.7555 x44 | [email protected]

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Stay tuned for an update on this split-up which several reliable sources have described as “acrimonious” to CBE.

RM