Business
STUDY: Cannabis Consumers Engage in Greater Levels of Physical Exercise
OKLAHOMA CITY–Middle-aged adults are more likely to engage in physical activities on days when they also consume cannabis, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. Researchers affiliated with the University of Oklahoma assessed the relationship between cannabis use and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a cohort of 98 healthy middle-aged adults. They found that participants typically engaged in ...
Agrify Corp Rebrands to RYTHM Inc Following $50M Green Thumb Brands Portfolio Acquisition
CHICAGO – Agrify Corporation has acquired a portfolio of intellectual property from Green Thumb Industries (GTI) for $50 million, including cannabis brands like RYTHM, Dogwalkers, Beboe, incredibles, &Shine, Doctor Solomon’s, Good Green, and Señorita. Concurrently, Agrify announced it will rebrand as RYTHM, Inc., with its Nasdaq-listed shares trading under the ticker RYM starting September 2. ...
Colombian President Pushing Congress for Swift Action on Full Cannabis Legalization
BOGOTÁ – Colombia's House of Representatives First Committee has passed a bill to legalize adult-use Cannabis, marking an early win for reformers in a country long at the center of global drug policy debates. Sponsored by Rep. Alejandro Ocampo, the legislation cleared the panel last week and now heads to the full chamber for debate. ...
Australian Cannabis Prices Drop to New Lows, Pressuring Domestic Producers
MELBOURNE – Medicinal Cannabis flower prices in Australia have fallen to a minimum of $3.30 per gram at the patient level, a development that has intensified debates over the viability of the country's homegrown industry. This marks a sharp decline, with nearly 40% of flower products now available for under $10 per gram, compared to ...
SynBiotic Builds North American Ties to Secure Overseas Funding
DÜSSELDORF – SynBiotic SE, a publicly traded European company focused on medical Сannabis and industrial hemp, has formed alliances with several North American advisory firms to broaden its reach among global investors. The move aims to support the firm's acquisition-driven growth plan by tapping into fresh capital sources beyond Europe. Announced recently, the partnerships include ...
Seasoned Media Executives Launch IgniteIt Inc., a New Media and Events Powerhouse formerly operated as Benzinga Cannabis
Detroit, MI —Wednesday, Aug 20, 2025 —Today, IgniteIt Inc. (IgniteIt) announced that the cannabis industry’s premier business conference and media platform, formerly operated by Benzinga Cannabis, is entering a new chapter, separate and not affiliated with Benzinga. Led by former Benzinga executives, IgniteIt will serve as a dedicated platform for the cannabis industry to connect, ...
Cannara Biotech Secures $10M Credit Expansion for Valleyfield Facility Growth
MONTREAL – Cannara Biotech Inc., has announced a $10 million expansion of its credit facility with Bank of Montreal (BMO) to fund enhancements at its Valleyfield, Quebec, facility. This strategic move supports the company’s ambition to reach an annual production capacity of 100,000 kilograms of premium-grade Cannabis, leveraging its two Quebec-based facilities spanning over 1.65 ...
DCC and Metrc Advance California Cannabis Safety with QR Recalls
LAKELAND – In a move aimed at strengthening public health protections in the state's regulated Cannabis sector, Metrc has introduced a new recall notification system tied to its Metrc Retail ID™ QR codes. The feature, developed alongside the California Department of Cannabis Control, allows buyers to scan product packaging with their phones to check for ...
German Health Ministry Draft Sparks Patient Backlash Over Medical Cannabis Access
FRANKFURT – A recent survey by MedCanOneStop, a German medical Cannabis platform, has highlighted sharp concerns among patients about a proposed amendment from the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, BMG) that would limit digital services in Cannabis care. The study, which polled 9,583 individuals, comes as the ministry weighs changes to tighten regulations ...
Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works for Cannabis Leaders
LOS ANGELES -The Cannabis industry is filled with ambitious operators, visionary founders, and well-funded enterprises. Yet despite enormous energy and investment, many companies still struggle to answer the most fundamental question in business: what is our strategy? Too often, Cannabis leadership mistakes survival for strategy. But survival alone is not a winning aspiration. To move ...
Cannabist Finalizes Pennsylvania Dispensary Sale, Prioritizing Wholesale Model
NEW YORK – The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc., a major player in the U.S. Cannabis sector, has completed the sale of its Pennsylvania retail operations for $10 million in cash. The buyer, VP Investment Holdings LLC, includes key figures from Restore Integrative Wellness Center LLC, a prominent dispensary operator in the state. This deal transfers ...
Week In Review: Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Highlights
LOS ANGELES – Lively discussions were fueled last week by policy developments, financial reports, and strategic expansions in the Cannabis and Psychedelics industries. From federal rescheduling debates to global market moves, the Highly Capitalized Network team delivers the most notable news straight from the industry frontlines. Cannabis stocks climbed as President Donald Trump considered a ...
A LIFE IN A DAY: David Peck, CEO of Headquarters
LOS ANGELES- In this edition of A LIFE IN A DAY, Highly Capitalized Network catches up with David Peck, the founder and CEO of Headquarters (HQ)—an operations partner for Cannabis businesses across the country. Headquarters helps retailers and operators run smoother by handling the work most companies don’t have time or teams for: staffing, systems, ...
High Tide Enters German Medical Cannabis Market with Remexian Majority Stake Acquisition
CALGARY – High Tide Inc., a leading Canadian Cannabis retailer, announced its strategic entry into Germany’s medical Cannabis market through a 51% acquisition of Remexian Pharma GmbH, a Frankfurt-based pharmaceutical wholesaler. The deal, valued at an estimated €27.2 million (approx. $29.5 million), marks a significant step for High Tide as it expands its footprint beyond ...
Germany’s Medical Cannabis Imports Hit Record in Q2 2025, Sparking Debate Over Misuse
BERLIN – Germany’s medical Cannabis market continues to set records, with imports reaching 43.3 tons in the second quarter of 2025, according to data from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). This marks a 5.8% increase over the previous high of 37.5 tons in Q1 2025, bringing the first half of the ...
NYC Near-School Cannabis Dispensaries Avoid Shutdown or Relocation
NEW YORK – A significant number of New York’s licensed Cannabis dispensaries, previously at risk of closure for being too close to schools, have received a lifeline from state regulators. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced that these businesses will not be forced to shut down or relocate, as Governor Kathy Hochul and state ...
Aurora Launches Whistler Brand in Australia
EDMONTON – Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced the introduction of its Whistler Cannabis Co. brand to the Australian market, marking a significant step in its international expansion strategy. The launch brings two high-potency cultivars, Ginger Breath and Critical Diesel, to Australian patients, thereby broadening their access to premium medical Cannabis products. Whistler Cannabis Co., a brand ...
BREAKING: Trump Signals Possible Cannabis Reclassification Within Weeks
LOS ANGELES- President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration is actively considering shifting Cannabis to a lower-risk category under federal law — a move that could have sweeping implications for the industry. Speaking at a White House press briefing, Trump described the process as still in its early stages but suggested a decision could ...
Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Cannabis Enters Ohio Market
COLUMBUS – Death Row Records Cannabis, the Cannabis brand launched by rapper and entrepreneur Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., commonly known as Snoop Dogg, has expanded into Ohio through a partnership with Pure Ohio Wellness. This move brings the brand’s signature products to Ohio’s growing recreational Cannabis market, marking a significant step in its nationwide expansion. ...
Case Study: Grupo Flor: A Cannabis Turnaround Driven by Strategic Focus
SALINAS- When Mark Collins joined Grupo Flor as Chief Financial Officer, the California-based vertically integrated Cannabis company was in severe financial and operational distress. The business held multiple licenses across retail, cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution—far more than it could manage profitably. Heavy tax liabilities and operational inefficiencies threatened the company’s survival. This case study details ...
Cannabis Stocks Rally as U.S. Rescheduling Debate Heats Up
LOS ANGELES — For the first time in more than a year, cannabis stocks are enjoying a sustained rally. Exchange-traded funds focused on the sector have climbed sharply in recent weeks, and several of the country’s largest multi-state operators have posted double-digit gains. The trigger is a familiar one: renewed talk of moving cannabis out ...
Did Psilocybin Arrive From Outer Space? New Genomic Study Opens the Door to a Cosmic Possibility
LOS ANGELES — The psychedelic compound psilocybin has long intrigued researchers for its potential to treat mental health conditions, but a groundbreaking study is now shedding new light on where these mushrooms came from—and it’s sparking speculation that their origins could be cosmic. A team from the University of Utah and the Natural History Museum ...
Will the Hemp Beverage Category Still Be Here in 12 Months?
LOS ANGELES- Will the Hemp Beverage Category Still Be Here in 12 Months? That's not just a provocative question—it’s a quiet but growing concern across the hemp industry. After a explosive rise in popularity, hemp-derived THC beverages are facing mounting pressure from regulators. The 2018 Farm Bill unintentionally cracked open a multi-billion-dollar market, allowing intoxicating hemp ...
AYR Wellness Exits Massachusetts in Broad Financial Restructuring
LOS ANGELES – AYR Wellness, a Miami-based multi-state Cannabis operator, is pulling out of Massachusetts as part of a bold restructuring to tackle its financial challenges. The company will close its 90,000-square-foot Milford cultivation facility, leading to 157 layoffs by September 29, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filed with the MassHire ...
Canopy Growth Expands its Presence in Australia
OTTAWA – Canopy Growth Corporation has introduced its Canadian-grown 7ACRES brand to the Australian medical Cannabis market, marking a strategic expansion of its global medical portfolio. The launch, announced on August 5, features two high-THC sativa strains, both offered in 10-gram flower formats. This expansion strengthens Canopy’s established presence in Australia, where the Therapeutic Goods ...
