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Of Donald Trump’s recent announcements, the one that intrigues — even excites — me the most is the establishment of DOGE, the misnamed “Department of Government Efficiency” (misnamed because it is really a nongovernmental advisory body that will work with the White House, not any kind of “department” inside government).Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who [...] Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.
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I am so happy we have this amazing opportunity to honor a true spirit of beckley – Tony Kelly! While Tony was born and raised in Canada and has such an interesting story of how he and his beautiful wife Joanne really took a leap of faith and came to Southern West Virginia and Beckley, the community has certainly benefited from that leap of faith. Tony is an icon in the medical field. I can’t even imagine the number of lives he has touched throughout his career here in Southern West Virginia. Not only has he worked tirelessly to serve the residents of Southern West Virginia through his career, he has also been a mentor to so many doctors in our communities as well as serving in leadership roles in the hospitals where he has worked. Last year he received the honor of being named the inaugural director for Region 6 of the West Virginia First Foundation Board which was organized by Governor Justice to help distribute the settlement money won by the state in the lawsuits against opioid manufacturers. With his many years of emergency room medicine, he is the perfect person to represent the 11 counties in Region 6. While he certainly has made a lasting professional impact in the medical community, that is nothing compared to the commitment and love he has for his family. I know how proud Tony is of his daughter Aryn and son Ryan. I am so happy that his two children have decided to come back to our community to raise their families. He and Joanne are not only great parents, but I know they are really thrilled to be called Pop and Nan by their beautiful grandchildren. He and Joanne are the proud grandparents of Ryan’s two children, Emmy and Leo, and Aryn’s three children, Willa, Ada, and Margaret. He and Joanne are both very involved with their grandchildren and can be seen at soccer games, basketball games, swimming pools, dance studios, etc., watching and cheering on the grandkids! The Kelly Family Foundation has done so much for our community in supporting a number of organizations that provide social services to those in need, with an emphasis on children. Tony is a very humble person and it really took some arm twisting and fast talking to convince him he is the epitome of what the Spirit of Beckley stands for and is truly worthy of this honor! Nancy Kissinger Co-Chair
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EQUA Specialty Risk Partners , a Canadian-owned insurance brokerage, is taking on one of the cannabis industry's most pervasive challenges: stigma. Through education, advocacy and innovative risk management strategies, EQUA seeks to transform how cannabis businesses access insurance. In an exclusive conversation with Benzinga, Loretta Eldridge , EQUA's director of marketing, communications and strategic partnerships, and Matt Jardine , cannabis client executive, spoke about the company's mission to create insurance solutions without stigma. Uncovering The Impact Of Stigma On Canada’s Cannabis Operators EQUA was founded in 2020 as a specialty brokerage for complex commercial risks. Initially focusing on industries like construction and technology, the company ventured into cannabis after Eldridge, a lifelong cannabis advocate and former director of marketing at Ample Organics , joined the team. “I’m transparently a lifelong consumer, a medical patient. I am really dedicated to the cannabis community because it is my community,” Eldridge said. The shift began when Eldridge continued attending cannabis events and noticed a pressing need for insurance solutions. Business owners approached her with urgent requests for help. “It got to the point where in one of those conversations a woman I was chatting to started to get emotional. The one woman said, ‘I met you for a reason today. I need help,'” Eldridge recalled. These interactions prompted two years of in-depth research involving nearly 60 industry leaders across 20 sub-sectors . What the EQUA team found was alarming. Canadian cannabis operators faced inflated premiums, limited market capacity and policies riddled with exclusions. Jardine elaborated on the practical impacts of stigma, particularly for cultivators and processors. “You could have a neighboring risk that’s a greenhouse and they would have completely different premiums for the exact same size facilities... We have coined that the cannabis surcharge,” he noted. EQUA's Strategy: Education, Collaboration & Customized Solutions However, EQUA has taken a proactive approach to dismantle these barriers, rooted in education and collaboration. Eldridge highlighted the importance of connecting cannabis operators directly with underwriters to dismantle biases. "We invite underwriters to tour facilities, see the stringent security measures and understand the hyper-regulated nature of the industry," she explained. These efforts have led to the entry of new insurance markets, gradually alleviating stigma. Get Benzinga’s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter here . If you’re serious about the business, you can’t afford to miss out. Customization lies at the heart of EQUA’s strategy. By deeply understanding each client’s unique needs, they tailor insurance packages accordingly. Jardine shared an example where EQUA reduced a client's stock coverage to align with actual inventory needs, saving thousands of dollars. "We personalize every policy, ensuring it matches the operator's specific requirements and eliminates unnecessary costs," Jardine said. U.S. Laws Limit Cannabis Insurance Access Globally Limited global insurance capacity due to U.S. federal illegality further complicates problems, leaving Canadian businesses with fewer competitive options. This limits market capacity and sustains high premiums. Eldridge described the situation as a funnel, with stigma and legal barriers narrowing options at every level. Read Also: Legal Medical Cannabis Could Save US Healthcare $29B Annually, New Study Finds She also emphasized the importance of global outreach: “We don’t have to just go to the United States, we educate and engage with underwriters wherever those underwriters are legally allowed to offer these services to Canadian businesses.” ‘Cannabis Surcharge' Also Hits Ancillary Companies And the challenges don't stop at plant-touching businesses. Eldridge pointed out that ancillary companies , such as equipment manufacturers and technology providers, also face inflated premiums simply for serving cannabis clients. EQUA's role, she explained, includes educating underwriters to separate perceived risks from actual risks and advocating for fairer practices across the supply chain. Overcoming Canada's Complex Cannabis Regulations Moreover, navigating Canada's fragmented regulatory landscape is another area where EQUA’s tailored solutions provide critical support. Each province imposes unique insurance requirements, from product recall policies to liability limits. Read Also: Canada’s Cannabis Growth Slowed Due To Federal Gov Inaction, Key Industry Leader Says Jardine noted that non-compliance can void policies, making EQUA's role in reviewing agreements and ensuring alignment indispensable for multi-province cannabis operators. EQUA's Vision For Industry Transformation When asked about their views on the future evolution of cannabis insurance, Eldridge expressed optimism. "The industry is waking up and wanting to support these companies because it's the right thing to do," she said. Jardine echoed this sentiment, predicting that increased competition and nuanced underwriting will lead to fairer premiums within the next two years. With its focus on advocacy, education and tailored solutions, EQUA is reshaping how insurance is perceived in the cannabis industry. As Eldridge put it, "We're just at the beginning of the precipice of change and we're proud to be leading the charge." Read Next: Best And Worst Performing States For Cannabis Sales In 2024: YTD Winners & Losers Image courtesy of EQUA. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.