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News & PR
This is a collection of news stories, media interviews, press releases, online blogs,
science journals, etc. that I have either written or been featured in during my career.
2019
KSNV Channel 3 News - “Demand for marijuana jobs not as high in Las Vegas”
January 30th, 2019
“…Pot consumption loungers and strict laws are the reasons Las Vegas was dinged in the report.
Chris Thompson with Freedom Leaf Health said that’s a good thing.
“We’re very regulated. I see that as one of the strengths of Nevada that we have a very tightly regulated system. It’s very safe. Our lab testing standards are some of the best in the nation. While that does create a barrier to entry for some smaller businesses, that ultimately makes the industry safer. …”
2018
FRLF Press Release - CMO Announcement
October 31st, 2018
“…Mr. Christopher Thompson has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer after serving three years with The Company, first as Director of Digital Marketing, and then Director of Marketing for the new Hempology product line. Mr. Thompson joined Freedom Leaf after graduating with a degree in Biological Engineering from Purdue University, where he learned how to apply engineering-based problem-solving strategies to the design, development, and execution of brand strategy and marketing campaigns. …”
FRLF Press Release - Purdue Extraction Engineer
March 22nd, 2018
“…Clifford Perry, CEO and Co-Founder of Freedom Leaf, explained, “Adding yet another Purdue Engineering graduate to FRLF’s team of experts ensures we bring only the best engineering and scientific design to our Leafceuticals Inc extraction facility and Hempology CBD products.”
Chris Thompson, Freedom Leaf’s Director of Marketing and another Purdue Engineering Alumni, commented, “We expect Nick will be another invaluable addition to the Leafceuticals Inc. production team, helping us increase product quality, optimize production speed, and reduce operating costs. …”
FRLF Press Release - Hempology Distribution
February 28th, 2018
“…Chris Thompson, Freedom Leaf’s Director of Digital Marketing, who helped close the Distribution Agreement, explained, “Signing a national distributor like Quality Products Distribution Inc. was one of our major goals with the Hempology line. Now that Hilary’s experienced sales team will be presenting our CBD products to dispensaries and retail stores, we expect a steady growth of wholesale orders in the coming weeks. …”
NORML Blog - “Marijuana law reform efforts advance in states despite a hostile Attorney General”
January 15th, 2018
“…After hearing the news about the shift in federal policy, Chris Thompson, executive director of Las Vegas NORML quickly shifted his focus from state-level lobbying efforts to mobilizing pro-marijuana advocates and scheduling meetings with Congressional leaders.
“It’s definitely a precarious situation right now, but thankfully Las Vegas NORML is working with our representatives at the state and federal level to prevent Sessions from trampling over states’ rights and prosecuting legal cannabis,” said Thompson. …”
Las Vegas Sun - “Butt out, feds: Nevada voters have spoken on legal marijuana”
January 7th, 2018
“…Chris Thompson holds up a sign during a news conference at the Apothecary Shoppe marijuana dispensary on West Flamingo Road Thursday, Jan. 04, 2018. …”
Las Vegas NORML helped organized, promote, and populate the press conference with signs and protesters from the cannabis industry alongside Dina Titus, Tick Segerblom, and Aaron Ford.
Fox5 Las Vegas - “Nevada politicians, marijuana industry leaders denounce AG's federal policy change”
January 4th, 2018
“…Multiple lawmakers came out with statements condemning the move, saying it would be detrimental for Nevada. A group met at the Apothecary Shop to discuss how to move forward Thursday afternoon.
State Senator Tick Segerblom (D) and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D) encouraged people to make their voices heard and put pressure on state lawmakers to fight for the state's rights. …”
Las Vegas NORML helped organized, promote, and populate the press conference with signs and protesters from the cannabis industry alongside Dina Titus, Tick Segerblom, and Aaron Ford.
KTNV Channel 13 News - “Nevada marijuana industry reacts to possible federal crackdown”
January 4th, 2018
“… It helps dispensaries that there are lawmakers on their side. Democratic Congresswoman Dina Titus wishes to see legal marijuana continue to flourish.
"We've got to be sure we pass legislation that puts in place permanent protections," Titus said. …”
Las Vegas NORML helped organized, promote, and populate the press conference with signs and protesters from the cannabis industry alongside Dina Titus, Tick Segerblom, and Aaron Ford.
2017
Washtington Times - “Nevada sees smooth transition after pot initiative”
December 31st, 2017
“Other states don’t have something like this,” said Chris Thompson, executive director of Las Vegas NORML. “We already have a highly regulatory system, like gaming, so it made sense to give cannabis similar regulations.”
Mr. Thompson also said that unlike other states, Nevada had the support of the governor and local police enforcement, who wanted to see the additional tax revenue and crackdown on the black market sales.
Seattle Weekly - “The Liquor Industry Make a Play for Legal Weed”
December 13st, 2017
“So basically, according to the text of [the statute], the alcohol distributors get to set up regulated distribution methods,” explained Chris Thompson, executive director for the Las Vegas chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), in an interview with NBC.
Freedom Leaf - “NORML Activists Swarm US Capitol for Annual Lobby Day”
October 4th, 2017
Several Congress members participated in the events: Rep. Tom Garrett (R-Va.) was the conference’s keynote speaker and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) fired up the crowd at the awards ceremony. Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) spoke to the assembled activists in the Veterans Affairs Committee hearing room about their amendment, and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) huddled with more than 30 NORML board members and state directors to discuss his bill, The Marijuana Justice Act.
The Leaf Online - “NORML hosts national cannabis conference, federal lobby day”
August 30th, 2017
Our States Legalized Marijuana, Now What?
An overview on the remaining barriers to a more fair marijuana marketplace. Led by Kevin Oliver, Executive Director Washington State NORML, Dale Gieringer, Executive Director California NORML, Jordan Person, Executive Director Denver NORML, and Chris Thompson, Las Vegas NORML.
KSNV Channel 3 - “Driving high… Driving up crashes?”
July 28th, 2017
But Chris Thompson, the Executive Director of Las Vegas NORML; the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said that’s not a good barometer of what’s actually happening on the roads.
“Showing that insurance claims are going up, doesn’t necessarily mean there are more crashes on the road and it doesn’t necessarily mean these crashes are any worse,” he said. “The roads are not a more dangerous place because of marijuana,” said Thompson.
Freedom Leaf - “Nevadans reeling as the Green Rush Keep Growing”
July 19th, 2017
Las Vegas NORML executive director Chris Thompson is confident the high prices will be short-lived. “They’re working through the opening gate,” he explains. “Anywhere that legalization has opened up, the prices are high at first until they work out the market.”
NBC News - “Nevada Goes Green With Recreational Marijuana, and Alcohol Industry Wants a Piece of the Pot”
June 29th, 2017
"So basically, according to text of [the statue], the alcohol distributors get to set up regulated distribution methods," Thompson said. "We’re the only state that does that."
Thompson noted that when recreational dispensaries open at midnight on Saturday, there still isn’t a plan in place for distribution between the retailers and the dispensers.
NORML Blog - “Las Vegas NORML Ramps Up Advocacy Efforts”
May 21st, 2017
“With state lawmakers in Nevada quickly approaching their fast-tracked deadline of July 1st to implement the state’s new adult-use marijuana program, NORML is focused on ramping up our activism efforts in Las Vegas!
Over the past two months, we’ve been busy planning, attending legislative hearings, tabling at events, doing community outreach, volunteering at our local community garden, and more to get the word out about our new chapter, and post-legalization activism in Las Vegas.
NORML Blog - “Las Vegas NORML Hits the Ground Running with Lobby Day”
March 30th, 2017
“The Board of Directors of the newly-formed Las Vegas NORML recently traveled to the Nevada State House to lobby lawmakers in support of protections for marijuana patients and advocates.
Less than a month after forming Las Vegas NORML, the organization’s founding members provided testimony to the State Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of SB-374, sponsored by Senator Tick Segerblom.
Nevada Independent - “Lawmakers take aim at marijuana gummy bears, propose freedom of (pot) speech”
March 29th, 2017
“With state lawmakers in Nevada quickly approaching their fast-tracked deadline of July 1st to implement the state’s new adult-use marijuana program, NORML is focused on ramping up our activism efforts in Las Vegas!
Over the past two months, we’ve been busy planning, attending legislative hearings, tabling at events, doing community outreach, volunteering at our local community garden, and more to get the word out about our new chapter, and post-legalization activism in Las Vegas.
KSNV Channel 3 News - “Las Vegas NORML Meets the Public”
March 21st, 2017
The group’s leader Chris Thompson tells us that despite the popular vote there is still reason for caution. That reason is Attorney General Jeff Sessions and an apparent pushback against legalization of the still federally illegal drug.
“Excited but weary,” Thompson told us. “That’s the reason we're here, though. To be that line of defense for the community. Getting involved in recreational and medicinal cannabis.”