Case Studies
Ohio Governor Enacts Halt on Sales of Hemp-Derived THC Products
COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued an executive order ...
Schwazze Nears Debt Restructuring Echoing Ayr Wellness Strategy
DENVER – Schwazze approaches a debt restructuring that closely follows ...
Cannabist Expands Ohio Footprint with Norwalk Dispensary Opening
NORWALK – The Cannabist Company marked a key step in ...
Kentucky Governor Urges Trump to Honor Campaign Promise on Cannabis Rescheduling
FRANKFORT – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) has stepped into the national spotlight, urging President Donald Trump to oppose congressional efforts that would halt the federal rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III ...
The DEA’s Time‑Warp Appointment: Terrance Cole and the Revival of “Reefer Madness”
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Terrance Cole, the newly confirmed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator, brings a worldview rooted in 1980s-era drug hysteria—one that dismisses decades of research, economic gains from cannabis legalization, and evolving public opinion. ...
Texas Governor Backs Regulation Over Ban in Hemp THC Showdown
DALLAS —Texas Governor Greg Abbott has drawn a firm line in the sand when it comes to the future of the hemp industry in the Lone Star State. In a public statement on July 22, ...
New Zealand Approves Psilocybin for Medicinal Use
LOS ANGELES— New Zealand’s government has authorized the prescription of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in so‑called “magic mushrooms,” for patients with treatment‑resistant depression. This marks the first time psilocybin has been approved for medical use ...
Psyence Group Inc. Announces C$600,000 Private Share Offering
LOS ANGELES— Psyence Group Inc. a biotechnology firm focused on nature-derived psilocybin for mental health and palliative care, has announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$600,000. The offering, detailed in a news ...
Texas Governor Expands Medical Cannabis Program, Vetoes THC Ban
LOS ANGELES— Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 46 into law, significantly expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis program, while vetoing Senate Bill 3, which aimed to ban hemp‑derived THC products—including delta‑8 gummies, ...
Method Man and Zamnesia Partner to Launch Eight TICAL Cannabis Seeds in U.S. and Europe
LOS ANGELES- Zamnesia—a European online retailer specializing in cannabis seeds—has partnered with Method Man’s cannabis brand, TICAL, to launch eight exclusive premium seeds across the U.S. and Europe. The collaboration, announced in early June 2025, ...
Kentucky Governor Urges Trump to Honor Campaign Promise on Cannabis Rescheduling
FRANKFORT – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) has stepped into the national spotlight, urging President Donald Trump to oppose congressional efforts that would halt the federal rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III ...
The DEA’s Time‑Warp Appointment: Terrance Cole and the Revival of “Reefer Madness”
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Terrance Cole, the newly confirmed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator, brings a worldview rooted in 1980s-era drug hysteria—one that dismisses decades of research, economic gains from cannabis legalization, and evolving public opinion. ...
Texas Governor Backs Regulation Over Ban in Hemp THC Showdown
DALLAS —Texas Governor Greg Abbott has drawn a firm line in the sand when it comes to the future of the hemp industry in the Lone Star State. In a public statement on July 22, ...
Chicago City Council Ponders Restrictions on Sale of Hemp-Derived THC Products
CHICAGO CITY- In a bid to address what is being termed as "a public health crisis" related to the unregulated sale of hemp-derived products containing THC variants like delta-8, delta-10, and THC-O, the Chicago City ...
Florida’s Cannabis Industry Flourishes Amid Market Fluctuations and Prospective Mergers
LOS ANGELES-- Florida's burgeoning medical cannabis industry, already valued at over $1.4 billion, is witnessing a period of robust growth, driven not only by an increasing number of patient registrations but also by an expansion ...
Oklahoma’s New Tiered Fee Structure for Cannabis Operators Faces Legal Challenge
OKLAHOMA CITY- In the unfolding legal landscape surrounding the medical cannabis industry in Oklahoma, the state Supreme Court has recently opted not to hear a challenge to a new law that significantly alters the fee ...
New Horizon in Federal Drug Policy: Anticipated Rescheduling of Cannabis May Herald Transformative Changes
LOS ANGELES --In a move signaling potential transformative shifts in federal drug policy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has urged the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to revisit the categorization of cannabis under ...
Senate Bill 58 Holds the Potential to Usher in a New Era of Psychedelic Medicine and Policy Reform
LOS ANGELES-- In a historic maneuver that might change the trajectory of mental health treatment and drug policy in the Golden State, California inches closer to embracing the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. Spearheaded by ...
Revitalization of Cannabis Industry through Amsterdam-Style Social Cafes
LOS ANGELES- In an effort to revitalize the state's cannabis industry and bolster tourism in dormant urban areas, California assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) has introduced legislation that may potentially reshape the existing cannabis marketplace. ...
New York to Jumpstart Cannabis Industry with New Licensing Regulations Starting October 4
NEW YORK- In a move to revitalize the cannabis industry in New York, the state has announced plans to commence the acceptance of cannabis industry applications from the general public and current medical cannabis companies ...
Virginia’s New THC Limits on Hemp Products Face Federal Lawsuit Amid Concerns of Industry Setback
LOS ANGELES-- In a recent development that underscores the ongoing debates surrounding the regulation of hemp products, a federal lawsuit has been filed against the state of Virginia, challenging the newly instituted THC limits on ...
California on the Verge of a Psychedelic Paradigm Shift: Senate Bill 58 Awaits Governor’s Decision
LOS ANGELES- In a move that signals a potential paradigm shift in drug policy and mental health treatment, California stands on the cusp of decriminalizing several psychedelic substances, thanks to the persistent efforts of Senator ...
Maine’s Recreational Cannabis Sector Flourishes
LOS ANGELES- In the state of Maine, the burgeoning adult-use cannabis sector is witnessing a significant uptick in sales, reaching a pinnacle in August with revenues exceeding $21 million, as per data released by the ...
Anticipating the Green Rush: New York Sets the Stage for Cannabis Expansion
NEW YORK - In a pivotal move, the New York Cannabis Control Board has greenlit a comprehensive set of regulations that lays the foundation for a significant expansion of the Empire State's burgeoning cannabis industry. ...
Verano Challenges Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission Over Revoked Business License
LOS ANGELES- Verano, a player in the cannabis industry, has launched a legal battle against the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, following the revocation of its business license due to a discrepancy in the application score ...
Senator Sherrod Brown Foresees Progress on Cannabis Banking Reform Amid Political Uncertainties
LOS ANGELES-- In a recent interview with Punchbowl News on Monday, US Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat and the Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, expressed optimism regarding the forward movement of cannabis banking reform, ...
UK Home Affairs Committee Advocates for Expanded Access to Medical Cannabis Products through NHS
LOS ANGELES-- In a recent development, the United Kingdom's Home Affairs Committee has urged the government to broaden the accessibility of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medical use through the National Health Service (NHS) before the ...
Michigan’s Cannabis Market Holds Steady: A Glimpse into the State’s Flourishing Industry
LOS ANGELES-- In a recent report from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency, the state's cannabis market demonstrated a robust performance, maintaining a steady pace in sales throughout August. According to the data, sales in August ...
Analysis: One of Three Cannabis Stocks Stands Out Amid Market Volatility
NEW YORK, NY–In a whirlwind morning of trading, cannabis investors found themselves on a roller-coaster ride, with shares of prominent cannabis companies Tilray Brands, Canopy Growth, and Aurora Cannabis experiencing significant price fluctuations in just ...
FARRIS FORWARD: Navigating the Volatile Waters of the Cannabis Industry: A Guide for Operators
FARRIS FORWARD: Welcome to Farris Forward, a new series of articles curated by Jon Farris and distributed by Highly Capitalized. The series highlights the insights and strategies being deployed by industry insiders and experts, offering ...
The Cannabis Debate in Texas: A Clash of Economic Potential and Cultural Values
DALLAS -In the midst of a shifting national perspective on cannabis legalization, Texas finds itself at a pivotal juncture, where economic prospects are being meticulously weighed against deeply entrenched cultural values and public safety concerns. ...
Local Initiatives Pave the Way for Potential Statewide Cannabis Decriminalization in Texas
DALLAS- In the heart of Texas, a state steeped in a tradition of independence and self-reliance, a grassroots movement is taking shape that could potentially alter the legal landscape surrounding cannabis possession and use. Several ...
Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Unites Industry Titans and Advocates in Chicago
CHICAGO–Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the world's largest and most successful cannabis investing and finance event, will return to Chicago on Sept. 27-28, 2023, at the Magnificent Mile Marriott in the heart of the Windy City. ...
Massachusetts Cannabis Sales Soar to $5 Billion Amid Regional Demand Surge
In a remarkable display of the burgeoning cannabis industry's strength, Massachusetts reported a milestone in adult-use cannabis sales, hitting the $5 billion mark on August 31. This achievement comes on the heels of record-breaking monthly ...
MindMed Advances in Anxiety Treatment with Successful Phase 2b Study Enrollment
LOS ANGELES -- In a significant development in the biopharmaceutical sector, MindMed, a clinical-stage company listed on NASDAQ and NEO has successfully wrapped up the enrollment and dosing phase of a critical study, MMED008. This ...
Floridians Show Significant Support for Adult-Use Cannabis, Poll Finds
LOS ANGELES-- A recent survey conducted by the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University has revealed that a substantial majority of Floridians are in favor of legalizing adult-use cannabis, with a significant portion ...
Psyched Wellness Secures $4.5 Million in Second Tranche of Financing, Aims to Expand Amanita Muscaria Product Line
LOS ANGELES-- Psyched Wellness Ltd., A player in the functional mushroom sector, has successfully closed a second tranche of its non-brokered private placement, securing gross proceeds of $4.5 million, as per the company's recent announcement. ...
New York Opens the Door for Established Cannabis Operators to Enter the Adult-Use Market
NEW YORK-- In a significant move that could reshape the cannabis landscape in New York, state regulators voted on Tuesday to permit existing medical cannabis operators to apply for adult-use retail licenses. This decision potentially ...
