August 19, 2024 Patrick Lagreid Weekly News

Weekly News (Aug. 19, 2024)

Florida State Sen. Joe Gruters Announces Plan for Bill Banning Smoking in Public

Gruters hasn’t been shy about his displeasure with smoking in public areas, and while he is in support of a ballot measure that would legalize recreational cannabis use by adults, he also doesn’t want it so prevalent in public that it affects the quality of life of residents. So Gruters said if cannabis use becomes legal, he will introduce a bill that would implement a complete ban on smoking in public places. A fascinating game of if/then that could end up costing cigar smokers the ability to light up in an otherwise very cigar-friendly state.

LSU Gets New Cigar Collection via Bocock Brothers

I still can’t believe that this happened; when I heard the news, I immediately thought back to the end of 2011 when Camacho Cigars was denied the opportunity to sponsor the Orange Bowl just weeks after announcing the agreement. The idea of a university signing onto allowing its name and logo to be used on a tobacco product seems like an idea that wouldn’t have even been entertained, let alone allowed to happen, but here we are. Maybe the tide is turning back to becoming more friendly to cigar companies, or maybe public outcry will force a change of heart. Either way, I’m excited to see this new partnership.

New CAO Thunder Smoke Uses Tobacco From Three African Countries

I’ve long been fascinated by the use of “new” tobacco in cigar blends; I still remember my excitement learning that there is premium cigar tobacco being grown in France, Germany, China and beyond, and even though it might not be ready for use in a premium cigar blend, the fact that it’s out there is intriguing. To see that a new line from CAO, which is part of STG’s portfolio, is using tobacco not only from Cameroon but also from Zimbabwe and South Africa is incredibly intriguing, and I’m hopeful that at some point, I’ll get to try not only the finished cigars but also the individual tobaccos used to make the cigar.

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  • Iowa City, Ia. Considering Stricter Regulations for Smoke Shops — via KCRG.com
  • Rome, Ga. City Commission Approves Variance Request For a New Cigar Bar — via WRGANews.com

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.

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