Insights
Montana Legislature Approves Bill to Tighten Cannabis Product Regulations
LOS ANGELES— The Montana Legislature has passed House Bill 636, introducing new restrictions on cannabis products. The Senate approved the bill with a 37–12 vote, following the House's 84–15 approval last month. House Bill 636 proposes several changes to the state's cannabis laws: THC Limits: The bill reduces the maximum THC content in a ...
Kansas Governor Renews Call for Medical Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- Governor Laura Kelly has reiterated her support for legalizing medical cannabis in Kansas, urging lawmakers to advance legislation that would establish a regulated program for patients with qualifying medical conditions. Despite previous efforts, including the introduction of Senate Bill 294 in March 2025, which proposes the creation of the Kansas Medical Cannabis Act, ...
Consolidation, Capital, and the Climb: Tracking U.S. Cannabis M&A and Investment Trends
NEW YORK –The U.S. cannabis industry has experienced major shifts in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity over the past year, reflecting broader trends of consolidation and strategic realignment. According to Viridian Capital Advisors, the Cultivation & Retail sector led all others with $589.9 million in total deal consideration for the last twelve months ending April ...
When Hype Fails: Are Cannabis Giants Like Canopy and Tilray Just Ponzi Schemes in Disguise?
TORONTO-There’s an old saying in finance: “If you don’t understand where the returns are coming from, you might be the return.” While actual Ponzi schemes are illegal frauds—where old investors are paid with new investors’ money rather than from real profits—some public companies walk a fine line. They may not be fraudulent, but they operate ...
Glass House Brands and UC Berkeley Collaborate on Hemp Research and Development
LOS ANGELES- Glass House Brands Inc., a vertically integrated cannabis company, has entered into a collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, to conduct research on hemp. The partnership will focus on areas such as medicinal product development, hemp genetics improvement, market analysis, supply chain sustainability, and the application of artificial intelligence in cultivation and ...
Proposed New York Cannabis Legislation May Introduce Regulatory Challenges
LOS ANGELES- New York State legislators are considering a bill that could modify existing restrictions on intoxicating hemp products, potentially impacting the state's legal cannabis market. The proposed legislation aims to ease limitations on certain hemp-derived products, which may lead to an influx of out-of-state brands entering the New York market. A significant aspect ...
Trump’s Tariffs, Social Program Cuts, and the Future of the Cannabis Industry
NEW YORK- Economic policy doesn’t just influence government budgets—it reshapes entire industries. For the U.S. cannabis sector, still federally illegal and structurally fragmented, proposed tariffs and social program cuts under a second Trump administration could have far-reaching consequences. While some businesses may struggle under rising costs and constrained consumer demand, others could thrive—if they’re positioned ...
Hemp-Derived THC Beverages Are Booming as Cannabis Companies and Big Retail Jump In
NEW YORK- As federal cannabis reform remains stalled, a different kind of green wave is gaining momentum—this one is carbonated, hemp-based, and available online or at your local corner store. Hemp-derived THC beverages, which leverage federal legality under the 2018 Farm Bill, are rapidly transforming from a niche curiosity into a full-blown consumer category. From ...
Mississippi Dispensary Owner Challenges State’s Medical Cannabis Advertising Ban in Supreme Court
LOS ANGELES- In March 2025, Clarence Cocroft, owner of Tru Source Medical Cannabis in Olive Branch, Mississippi, petitioned the United States Supreme Court to review the state's prohibition on advertising for medical cannabis businesses. This action follows a November 2024 decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the state's restrictions, citing ...
Cannabis Extract Shows Potential in Reducing Neuroinflammation After Spinal Cord Injury
LOS ANGELES- A recent study published in the journal Neuroscience indicates that a cannabis extract containing both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) may significantly reduce neuroinflammation and improve motor function following spinal cord injury. Conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo, the study involved administering a cannabis extract to animal models with ...
Texas Senate Advances Legislation to Ban THC Products
LOS ANGELES- The Texas Senate has approved Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), a measure aimed at prohibiting the sale of products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component found in cannabis. The bill, authored by Senator Charles Perry of Lubbock, received a 24-7 vote and now moves to the Texas House for consideration. SB 3 ...
Trump Administration Attributes D.C. Disorder to Cannabis Decriminalization
LOS ANGELES- President Donald Trump has signed an executive order titled "Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful," establishing the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. This initiative aims to address public safety and urban revitalization in Washington, D.C., and attributes recent disorder in part to the city's cannabis decriminalization policies. The accompanying fact ...
Florida Appeals Court Reduces Drug-Trafficking Conviction to Possession
LOS ANGELES- A Florida appeals court has overturned a drug-trafficking conviction, reducing it to a possession charge due to the inability to distinguish between illegal cannabis and legal hemp. The Second District Court of Appeal ruled that the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the substance exceeded the legal threshold for tetrahydrocannabinol ...
New Hampshire Governor Maintains Opposition to Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu continues to oppose the legalization of recreational cannabis, even as the state's House of Representatives advances related legislation. In February 2025, the House passed House Bill 360, which seeks to legalize the possession and limited cultivation of cannabis for adults aged 21 and over. Despite the House's ...
iAnthus Capital Holdings Reports Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results
LOS ANGELES- iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc, a company engaged in regulated cannabis operations across the United States, has released its financial outcomes for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2024. Annual Financial Performance The company reported annual revenue of $167.6 million, marking a 5.2% increase compared to the prior year. Gross profit ...
GreenWave Advisors Urges Elected Officials to “Put American Cannabis First”
NEW YORK – In 1996, Medical Marijuana was legalized in California during the Clinton Administration. Since the “Colorado Experiment” in 2014, when the nation’s first recreational use market was implemented, the Federal Government has maintained its prohibitive legal status of Marijuana. Still, the pressures brought to bear by many state statutes that have locally decriminalized ...
Utah Poll Indicates Majority Support for Recreational Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- A recent survey conducted by Noble Predictive Insights reveals that 52% of registered Utah voters are in favor of a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for recreational use, while 38% oppose it, and 9% remain undecided. The poll, commissioned by the medical cannabis advocacy group Keep Utah Medical, surveyed 609 registered voters ...
Texas Senate Passes Bill to Ban Hemp THC
DALLAS–The Texas Senate has taken a major step toward banning consumable hemp products that contain THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids, a move that could severely impact an $8 billion industry employing approximately 50,000 workers. On March 19, the Senate passed Senate Bill 3 with a 24-7 vote, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach ...
Hemp-Derived Products Influence Cannabis Market Dynamics
LOS ANGELES- The 2018 Farm Bill's legalization of hemp cultivation has significantly impacted the cannabis industry, leading to the emergence of various hemp-derived products that are reshaping market dynamics. One notable development is the rise of intoxicating hemp-derived products, such as those containing Delta-8 THC, which have gained popularity as legal alternatives to traditional ...
Missouri’s Cannabis Industry Experiences Significant Growth
LOS ANGELES- Since legalizing recreational cannabis in 2022, Missouri has rapidly emerged as a prominent player in the cannabis market. The state now ranks as the seventh-largest in cannabis sales, surpassing states with larger populations and more established markets. Several factors have contributed to this growth: Regulatory Framework: Missouri implemented a streamlined regulatory system ...
Tokyo Smoke Closes Toronto Locations Amid Industry Challenges
LOS ANGELES- Tokyo Smoke, a prominent cannabis retailer, has reportedly ceased operations at all its Toronto outlets. This development aligns with a broader trend of cannabis store closures across Canada, reflecting the industry's evolving landscape. In Alberta, for instance, 62 cannabis store licenses were canceled or not renewed in 2023, surpassing the 48 new licenses ...
Innovative Cannabis-Derived Compound Offers Pain Relief Without Psychoactive Effects
LOS ANGELES- Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Stanford University have developed a novel compound that replicates the pain-relieving properties of cannabis without inducing psychoactive side effects or addiction. Development and Mechanism The compound was engineered to target peripheral pain receptors located outside the brain and spinal cord. By ...
Cannabis and Psychedelic Mushroom Kiosk at Brookfield Square Mall Draws Mixed Reactions
LOS ANGELES- A kiosk at Brookfield Square Mall in Brookfield, Wisconsin, operated by Waukesha-based Ethereal Gold Dispensary, has garnered attention for selling cannabis and psychedelic mushroom products. The presence of this kiosk has sparked a range of responses from the community. Community Responses Some mall patrons have expressed concerns about the kiosk's location, particularly regarding ...
Idaho Lawmakers Push to Restrict Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives on Cannabis and Drug Reform
BOISE - Idaho lawmakers have taken a significant step toward restricting citizen-led ballot initiatives related to cannabis and other drug reforms. The Idaho Senate recently passed a House-approved bill that would put a constitutional amendment before voters in the 2026 election. If approved, this amendment would strip the electorate of their ability to pass laws ...
Analysis: Cannabis Capital on the Rise: A Resilient Industry Continues To Grow
NEW YORK–Despite persistent regulatory frustrations, wholesale price compression, slowing growth, and historically low stock prices, the cannabis capital markets are showing unexpected strength. According to Viridian Capital Advisors, global cannabis capital raises surged to $2.3 billion for the last twelve months (LTM) ending March 7, 2025—a 46% increase compared to the prior year. This comes ...
