South Dakota Legalization Campaign Passes 15,000 Signature Benchmark for 2022 Initiative

CLEVELAND, OH (December 8, 2021) – The award-winning trade magazines Cannabis Business Times and Hemp Grower announce the promotions of Patrick Williams to Managing Editor of Cannabis Business Times, and Andriana (Andi) Ruscitto to Associate Editor of Hemp Grower. These promotions will help support the continued growth of the publications, which serve the burgeoning cannabis and hemp markets. 

Williams, who joined the magazines’ parent company GIE Media in 2017, worked as Associate Editor and Senior Editor for sister publications Greenhouse Management and Produce Grower. He then worked as Senior Editor for Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Dispensary before taking on the role of Managing Editor of Hemp Grower in February 2021. Previously, he was a freelance writer for B2B and consumer media and an editorial intern on the GIE Media publication Golf Course Industry. Williams graduated from Kent State university in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

© Vicki Blayney

“Patrick has brought forth tremendous skill and enthusiasm to his work since he began his career at GIE Media. His background combines strengths in traditional horticulture and cannabis, and his talents range from precision editing to conceptualization of timely and influential article ideas that will help continue Cannabis Business Times’ significant industry impact and growth trajectory,” Editorial Director Noelle Skodzinski said. “We look forward to his future achievements in his new role of Managing Editor.”

“I’m very much looking forward to returning to Cannabis Business Times in this exciting and fast-paced role,” Williams said. “We’re already working ahead on 2022 content that will highlight the stories of industry innovators and provide valuable insights to cannabis cultivators, retailers and manufacturers.”

© Vicki Blayney

Ruscitto joined GIE Media as an assistant editor of Cannabis Business Times, Cannabis Dispensary and Hemp Grower in January 2021. Before joining GIE, Ruscitto attended Kent State University, where she worked in the university communications and marketing department as an editor for the Kent State Today. Ruscitto graduated from Kent State in December 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in marketing.

“Andi’s reporting and writing skills are strong, and she has quickly proven what an asset she is to our cannabis and hemp publications,” Hemp Grower Editor Theresa Bennett said. “We’re looking forward to seeing her career develop through her contributions to our print magazine.”

“It’s been exciting to launch my career in these fast-growing industries,” Ruscitto said. “I’m looking forward to working alongside our editorial team in 2022 to bring actionable takeaways and insights to our hemp grower readers throughout North America during what’s sure to be a pivotal year for the industry.”

Both Williams and Ruscitto will also contribute to the programing and facilitation of the publications’ in-person trade shows, Cannabis Conference (Aug. 23-25, 2022) and Hemp Grower Conference (Dec. 5-7, 2022). 

About Cannabis Business Times

Cannabis Business Times was founded in July 2014. Its focus is to help accelerate the success of legal cannabis cultivators, retailers and manufacturers by providing actionable intelligence in all aspects of the business, from legislation, regulation and compliance news to analysis of industry trends and opportunities, as well as expert advice on cultivation, marketing, financial topics, legal issues, business management and more. Cannabis Business Times focuses strictly on the business of legal cannabis for medical and adult-use and aims to provide timely information—through its website, e-newsletter, webinars, mobile app, social media, print magazine and in-person events—to help the reader make timely, informed decisions to help them run their businesses better and more profitably. Cannabis Business Times is owned by GIE Media, based in Valley View, Ohio. For more information, visit CannabisBusinessTimes.com.

About Hemp Grower

Launched in November 2019, Hemp Grower’s mission is to support licensed hemp cultivators in the newly legal U.S. hemp industry and emerging and expanding hemp markets in North America by providing actionable intelligence in all aspects of the business—from regulatory news to analysis of industry trends and business strategy, as well as expert advice on cultivation, extraction, marketing, financial topics, and legal issues. In addition to its monthly print magazine, readers can access Hemp Grower’s content at hempgrower.com, via newsletters, and on social media. It is owned by GIE Media Inc.