Weedmaps lays off 25% of workforce 

Just two months after promising to stop listing illicit, black market businesses Weedmaps finds itself in an unfamiliar position. 

On October 15th nearly a quarter of the staff for the nation-wide company was notified that they were being laid off.

More than 100 people in positions ranging from copy writer to compliance expert were notified that the online cannabis directory would no longer be continuing their employment.

In a statement, Beals attributed the cutbacks to the slow pace that many communities have embraced legal cannabis in new states, but Beals also referenced problems in existing markets, including tightening financial investment and slow licensing processes in 

 “Today was my toughest day during my tenure as CEO.” – Chris Beals, CEO Weedmaps

Weedmaps, which was founded in 2008, has always had a base in the black market, but in early 2018, California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control sent Weedmaps a cease-and-desist letter.

But Weedmaps fought back, and unlicensed shops remained a large part of the listings.

In July California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing fines of up to $30,000 per violation for each day that unlicensed parties operate in conflict with state cannabis laws. In August Weedmaps announced they would begin removing and no longer accepting new unlicensed clients – in contrast Leafly, removed all illicit businesses on their site voluntarily – nearly two years ago.