Business
MedMen’s Turbulent Journey
LOS ANGELES- MedMen Enterprises, once hailed as a titan in the cannabis industry, faces a starkly uncertain future as it shuts down the majority of its dispensaries in California, its home state. The closures, which took place on Thursday, leave the company with only two operational stores in the state, signaling a dramatic downturn for ...
Obituary: Troy Datcher: CEO The Parent Company
LOS ANGELES- Troy Datcher, board chair of Gold Flora Corp. and a prominent Black leader in the cannabis industry, died Feb. 26 after a brief hospitalization. He was 55. Originally from Alabama, Datcher is mourned by his wife and his daughter, as well as his many family and friends. Troy Datcher, (main photo) was a ...
Barcelona to Host Landmark International Cannabis Business Conference in Partnership with Spannabis
LOS ANGELES- Barcelona, renowned for its vibrant cannabis culture and history, is set to host the next edition of the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) on March 14, 2024. This event marks a significant partnership with Spannabis, Europe's leading cannabis expo, creating what is poised to be the world's largest cannabis superconference. The collaboration underscores ...
First Citizens Bank Makes Historic Leap into Cannabis Banking Landscape
NEW YORK- In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the financial sector, First Citizens Bank, the 19th largest bank in the nation boasting over $200 billion in assets, has announced its bold foray into the cannabis industry. This unprecedented decision marks a significant shift in the landscape of banking and cannabis relations, as ...
Strategic Merger Unites Chicago Atlantic and Silver Spike, Reshaping Cannabis Financing Landscape
In a notable development within the cannabis financing sector, Chicago Atlantic and Silver Spike, two prominent lenders, have announced their merger. This strategic move is poised to create a significant shift in the landscape of cannabis lending by combining the strengths and resources of both entities. The agreement entails Chicago Atlantic transferring approximately $130 million ...
Aurora Cannabis Welcomes New CFO Simona King
LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc., a Canadia global medical cannabis industry, has announced the appointment of Simona King as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective February 21, 2024. King, a seasoned finance executive with over 25 years of experience, joins Aurora from Bristol Myers-Squibb, a leading global pharmaceutical company, where she played a pivotal ...
REVIEW: Green Dreams and Growing Pains: Benzinga’s L.A. Event Sheds Light on the Future of California’s Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES- At the Benzinga Market Spotlight event in the Bioscience LA venue, discussions unfolded that highlighted the diverse strategies and viewpoints within California's cannabis industry. One of the key speakers at Benzinga LA was Kyle Kazan, co-founder and CEO of Glass House Brands Inc., Kyle offered a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities ...
Las Vegas Welcomes Its First Licensed Cannabis Consumption Lounge
LOS ANGELES- Las Vegas, a city famed for its vibrant nightlife and sprawling casinos, has reached a new milestone in its diverse entertainment offerings with the opening of "Smoke and Mirrors," its first licensed cannabis consumption lounge. This development comes seven years after Nevada voters gave the green light to cannabis legalization, introducing a legal ...
Ascend Wellness Boosts Massachusetts Presence with Second Cultivation License Acquisition
LOS ANGELES- Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc., a player in the cannabis industry, has announced its acquisition of a second cultivation license and associated operations in Massachusetts, marking a significant expansion of its cultivation and production capabilities within the state. While the financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, the strategic move underscores Ascend's commitment ...
Filament Health Achieves Milestone with Botanical Psilocybin Export to Israel
LOS ANGELES- In a significant development for psychedelic medicine, Filament Health Corp. (OTCQB: FLHLF) announced it has successfully exported PEX010, its botanical psilocybin drug candidate, to Israel, marking a first for the country. This shipment is intended for a clinical trial at Hadassah University Hospital, focusing on the treatment of treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (TR-OCD) and ...
Virginia Legislators Propose Divergent Paths for Adult-Use Cannabis Sales
LOS ANGELES- In a notable move toward the commercialization of adult-use cannabis, Virginia's legislative bodies are progressing with distinct proposals aimed at kickstarting regulated sales by the upcoming year. This initiative comes after the legalization of cannabis in 2021, which did not extend to the licensing and regulation of its market, a matter that has ...
Navigating the Complexities of Cannabis Payments: A Debit and Credit Card Conundrum
LOS ANGELES- In the rapidly expanding cannabis industry, where legality varies from state to state and the federal government maintains its stance against cannabis, the landscape of payment processing remains fraught with challenges. Among the many hurdles facing cannabis businesses, the inability to accept credit and debit card payments stands out as a significant barrier ...
Red Light Holland Partners with PharmAla Biotech
NEW YORK- In a strategic move to bolster its North American presence, Red Light Holland a Toronto-based company, has entered into a significant consulting agreement with synthetic psychedelics manufacturer PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. The collaboration, announced on Thursday, aims to navigate the complex regulatory landscape and achieve Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards for Red Light ...
Cannabis and Exercise: Challenging Stereotypes of ”Lazy Stoner”
DENVER- In a recent study conducted at the University of Colorado at Boulder, researchers delved into the relationship between cannabis consumption and exercise habits among older Americans. Contrary to prevailing stereotypes, the findings challenged the notion of the 'lazy-stoner' archetype, revealing that cannabis consumers tended to exhibit more robust engagement in physical activities compared to ...
Silo Pharma Announces Strategic Focus on Psychedelic and Traditional Therapeutics for 2024
LOS ANGELES- Silo Pharma, Inc., a developmental stage biopharmaceutical company, has outlined a strategic focus for its clinical pipeline in 2024, emphasizing the advancement of novel formulations and drug delivery systems for both traditional therapeutics and psychedelic treatments. The company is set to prioritize the development of four innovative drugs targeting critical health areas: mental ...
FSD Pharma Bolsters Board and Enhances Market Strategy with New Appointments and Partnerships
LOS ANGELES- FSD Pharma, a player in the biopharmaceutical industry with a focus on innovative assets and biotech solutions, announced a significant change in its leadership and strategic partnerships. Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, a renowned figure in the medical field, has been appointed to the company's board of directors, replacing Nitin Kaushal. This move aligns with ...
Review: Beard Bros Friday Sesh Live Event: Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES-The Beard Bros Pharms Friday Sesh Live event held in the scenic confines of an undisclosed venue by the sea in Malibu was an immersive dive into the heart of California's cannabis industry. Despite the spacious and picturesque location, attendance was limited, adhering to the Fire Marshal's orders on venue capacity, adding an exclusive ...
Unpacking the Impact: CDTFA’s Strain on California’s Cannabis Industry, Recent Developments, and Industry Advocacy
LOS ANGELES–California, a trailblazer in the legalization of recreational cannabis, has faced challenges as the industry seeks to establish itself and cannabis companies in California make great efforts to flourish within the state. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has emerged as a pivotal player, sparking debates and concerns within the sector ...
Clearmind Medicine Inc. Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Listing Requirements
Clearmind Medicine Inc. a biotech company in the field of psychedelic-derived therapeutics, has successfully regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement. The company, known for its innovative approach to addressing major health challenges, received formal notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on December 12, 2023, confirming its adherence to the Nasdaq Listing Rule ...
Minnesota Prepares for Adult-Use Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES- In anticipation of its burgeoning adult-use cannabis market, Minnesota officials have outlined a need for at least 381 cannabis dispensaries to comply with the state's legalization law, a recent report indicates. This determination, put forth by Minnesota cannabis regulators in a comprehensive report, is in line with the state’s legalization law requirement of ...
Numinus Wellness Inc. Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2024
NEW YORK – Numinus Wellness Inc. a mental health care emphasizing psychedelic-assisted therapies, has released its financial figures for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, ending November 30, 2023. The results reveal a nuanced financial picture, marked by both gains in gross profit and challenges in revenue generation. The company reported a gross profit ...
Canadian Cannabis Market Updates: A New Regulatory Shift in Ontario’s Cannabis Retail Landscape
TORONTO- Announced on November 30 and implemented on January 1, Ontario's cannabis market witnessed a significant policy change, allowing one company to operate up to 150 recreational cannabis stores—a notable increase from the previous cap of 75. This development, as reported by Solomon Israel for MJ Biz Daily, has sparked diverse reactions within the industry. ...
Federal Scientists Advocate for Reclassifying Cannabis to Schedule III
LOS ANGELES-In a significant shift in federal policy, scientists from the Health and Human Services (HHS) have recommended reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance, as revealed in recently unredacted documents. This recommendation follows a detailed 250-page scientific review submitted to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in August 2023, which argued ...
PSYC Corporation CEO Addresses Company Challenges and Future in Detailed Podcast Update
NEW YORK — PSYC Corporation , the parent company of Spotlight Media Corporation (SMC), a leader in media for emerging sectors like medicinal psychedelics, recently released a video podcast featuring CEO David Flores. The podcast, recorded on January 2, 2024, aimed to provide shareholders and interested parties with a comprehensive update on the company's current ...
Maine’s Booming Cannabis Market Faces Challenges Amid Falling Prices
LOS ANGELES— Maine's regulated adult-use cannabis industry recorded over $200 million in sales in 2023, marking a significant 36% increase from the previous year. Despite these robust figures, released by the state Office of Cannabis Policy, the industry faces potential hurdles due to declining prices and market saturation. John Hudak, Director of the Office of ...