Insights
Illinois Establishes Cannabis Research Institute to Advance Industry Understanding
LOS ANGELES- The State of Illinois, in collaboration with the City of Chicago, has inaugurated the Cannabis Research Institute (CRI), a joint initiative between the University of Illinois and the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI). This endeavor aims to enhance research and data collection on cannabis, informing future industry developments and public policy. Governor JB Pritzker ...
GetTangi Corporation Eyes Regulatory Opportunities in Cryptocurrency Under Trump Administration
LOS ANGELES- In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s re-election to the White House, Ronald Strauss, CEO of GetTangi Corporation, a company integrating cryptocurrency with legal cannabis transactions, expressed a measured outlook on the potential regulatory landscape for digital assets. Strauss, in a recent LinkedIn post, characterized Trump’s administration as possibly “transformative” for cryptocurrency, citing its ...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nominated to Lead HHS, Poised to Drive Drug Policy Reforms
LOS ANGELES- President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), positioning him to influence significant drug policy reforms, including the promotion of psychedelics therapy and the restructuring of federal cannabis regulations. Kennedy's journey to this nomination has been unconventional. He began the 2024 ...
What U.S. Employers Need to Know About Evolving Cannabis and Psychedelics Policies
LOS ANGELES- The November 5, 2024, elections have brought significant changes to state-level drug laws, requiring employers to reevaluate workplace policies, especially around cannabis and psychedelics. Key developments in Nebraska, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Massachusetts reflect the nation’s shifting but divided stance on drug legalization. Nebraska: A Step Forward for Medical Cannabis Nebraska ...
Amethyst Health Secures Conditional Medical Cannabis License in New York
LOS ANGELES- a partnership between Black Star Wellness, LLC, and AYR Wellness Inc, has been conditionally awarded a vertically integrated medical cannabis license by the New York Cannabis Control Board. This license grants the right to operate as a "Registered Organization" within New York's regulated cannabis market. Black Star Wellness holds a majority stake in ...
LA County DA Launches Campaign to Educate Teens on Cannabis Risks
LOS ANGELES- Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has initiated a public service campaign to educate youth and caregivers about the risks associated with modern cannabis products, which are significantly more potent than those available five decades ago. This initiative, launched on October 31, 2024, aims to promote healthier communities by raising awareness of the ...
Texas Voters Approve Local Cannabis Decriminalization in Dallas, Bastrop, and Lockhart
LOS ANGELES- Voters in three Texas cities—Dallas, Bastrop, and Lockhart—have approved local ordinances to decriminalize low-level cannabis possession. Each measure passed with strong support, reflecting a growing trend in Texas municipalities toward reducing penalties for cannabis possession. In Dallas, Proposition R, commonly referred to as the Dallas Freedom Act, passed with approximately 66% support. This ...
Trump’s Return to Office: What it Means for the Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES- As Donald Trump returns to the White House, the cannabis industry is assessing how his policy stance could shape the future of legal cannabis in the United States. Trump's position on cannabis has evolved since his first term, but his approach remains largely rooted in supporting states’ rights rather than endorsing sweeping federal ...
Key States to Decide Cannabis Legalization in 2024
LOS ANGELES- In November 2024, voters in four states—Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota—will decide on significant cannabis ballot measures. Florida, the most populous among them, aims to transition from a medical-only market to adult-use sales through Amendment 3. The measure requires a 60% majority to pass, and polling has shown fluctuating support. North ...
Planet 13 Launches Initiative to Support Florida Veterans and First Responders with Medical Cannabis Access
LOS ANGELES- Planet 13 Holdings Inc., a multi-state cannabis company, recently launched the "Healing Heroes" initiative in Florida to support veterans and first responders. This program, active from November 1 to 14, 2024, aims to reduce the costs associated with obtaining or renewing medical cannabis cards. Planet 13 is collaborating with The Grateful Veteran, a ...
Arizona to Launch Recreational Cannabis Home Delivery
LOS ANGELES- Starting November 2024, Arizona will permit home delivery for recreational cannabis, marking a significant shift in state policy. The Arizona Department of Health Services has approved this expansion, previously limited to medical cannabis patients. Now, residents aged 21 and older can receive home deliveries facilitated by licensed dispensaries or partnered third-party services. Recreational ...
AICPA Calls for IRS Guidance on Cannabis Tax Policy Amid Potential Rescheduling
LOS ANGELES- The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is calling on the IRS and Treasury Department to provide updated guidance on tax policy for cannabis businesses in light of a potential rescheduling of cannabis to a Schedule III substance. This change would relieve these businesses from the restrictions of Section 280E of the ...
U.S. Cannabis Market Growth Reaches $50 Billion as Industry Grapples with Worker Unionization Efforts
LOS ANGELES- The U.S. cannabis market is on track for substantial growth, with projections indicating retail sales could exceed $50 billion annually within the next several years. In 2023, combined medical and recreational cannabis sales were estimated at around $33.6 billion, with significant growth expected as additional states legalize recreational use and expand medical programs. ...
New Report Highlights Key Insights and Challenges in U.S. Alzheimer’s Patient Experience
LOS ANGELES- A new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com, "Alzheimer's Disease in the United States: Understanding the Alzheimer's Patient Experience," provides a data-driven view of the experiences of nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's. The report, based on input from 500 patients and caregivers, covers key aspects of life with the disease, such as symptom management, ...
The Rise of the Clean Label Movement in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES — Consumer preferences in the cannabis market are evolving toward healthier and more transparent products. By 2024, the global cannabis market is projected to reach $57 billion, driven largely by the increasing legalization and normalization of cannabis use across North America, Europe, and other regions. However, this rapid growth has also led to ...
Criticism Mounts Over New York’s Social Equity Cannabis Fund for High Costs and Limited Impact
LOS ANGELES- New York’s Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, a public-private initiative launched to support individuals disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition, has faced growing criticism over its high operating costs and limited results. Since its establishment in 2022, the fund has managed to open only 21 dispensaries, despite an initial target of 150 locations. This ...
Delaware Awards First Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing Licenses in Initial Lottery
LOS ANGELES- Delaware has initiated its adult-use cannabis licensing process, awarding the first cultivation and manufacturing permits through a lottery held on October 24, 2024. This inaugural lottery, organized by the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC), drew from over 1,260 applications to randomly allocate licenses across cultivation, manufacturing, and social equity categories for the ...
Older Adults Increasingly Turn to Cannabis for Pain and Sleep Relief
LOS ANGELES- A growing number of older adults in the U.S. are turning to cannabis for managing sleep disturbances and chronic pain relief, especially as cannabis gains legal and social acceptance. Recent studies suggest that 21% of people aged 50 and older have used cannabis in the past year, with primary reasons including pain management, improved ...
What Is The Clean Label Movement: How Does It Apply To Cannabis?
LOS ANGELES — The clean label movement, which has transformed the food, beverage, and wellness industries, is also becoming a vital focus within the cannabis sector. Today’s consumers are informed, health-conscious, and increasingly demand transparency not only in what goes into their products but how they are produced. Cannabis companies are now being called upon ...
Mastering Employee Compliance: Navigating State-Specific Complexities in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES — Operating a cannabis business in the U.S. requires more than just understanding the industry's shifting landscape; it demands staying ahead of ever-evolving, state-specific regulations. Nowhere is this more critical than in managing regulatory employee compliance, where failure to adapt can lead to costly setbacks. With states like New Jersey, New York, and ...
Mastering the Cannabis Market: 4 Key Strategies for Cultivation Success with BigMike
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. cannabis industry, projected to reach nearly $40 billion by the nearing close of 2024, presents both substantial opportunities and escalating challenges for cultivators. With rising competition, price compression, and increasing compliance costs, particularly in saturated markets like California, Colorado, and Oregon, profitability is no longer guaranteed by product quality alone. ...
The Normalization of Cannabis: Insights from California’s Consumption Lounges
LOS ANGELES — Cannabis has come a long way from its stigmatized past, with consumption lounges playing a pivotal role in normalizing its use. In California, legalization of these lounges is reshaping how consumers interact with cannabis, providing safe, regulated environments for enjoyment and education. This article explores the history, growth, and future of cannabis ...
Florida Chamber of Commerce Launches Campaign Against Cannabis Legalization Amendment
LOS ANGELES- The Florida Chamber of Commerce has launched an online campaign opposing Amendment 3, a ballot initiative that could legalize adult-use cannabis in the state. Through its website, flbizagainsta3.com, the Chamber aims to educate voters on what it views as the economic and social risks of cannabis legalization. The campaign is spearheaded by the ...
Kamala Harris Pledges to Federally Legalize Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a commitment to federally legalize cannabis if elected in the 2024 presidential race. Her campaign emphasizes that legalizing recreational cannabis will address systemic inequalities, particularly those affecting Black men who have been disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis laws. Harris' proposal is part of a broader ...
Nebraska Officials Scrutinize Medical Cannabis Petition Signatures
LOS ANGELES- Nebraska state officials are questioning the validity of signatures supporting two medical cannabis ballot initiatives, sparking a legal battle over whether the measures should remain on the upcoming November ballot. Secretary of State Bob Evnen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers have raised concerns about the legitimacy of roughly 49,000 signatures on each petition, ...
