Insights
Michigan Dispensary Agrees to $205K Settlement Over Withheld Tip Dispute
LOS ANGELES- A Michigan-based cannabis dispensary chain, Timber Cannabis, has agreed to pay $205,000 to resolve a lawsuit filed by employees claiming management withheld customer tips. While the company did not admit to any wrongdoing, U.S. District Judge Matthew Leitman described the settlement as “fair and appropriate” during a hearing earlier this month. Lead plaintiff ...
ProStar SEO Identifies Key Google Ranking Factors for Cannabis Businesses
LOS ANGELES- ProStar SEO, a Canadian firm specializing in search engine optimization, has released new insights identifying the most influential Google ranking factors specific to cannabis industry websites. The report, based on a large-scale analysis of more than 5,000 potential variables, aims to guide cannabis businesses in enhancing their organic search visibility amid stringent advertising ...
Michigan Cannabis Retailer to Pay $205K in Settlement Over Workers’ Lost Tips
LOS ANGELES— Federal Judge Matthew Leitman has approved a $205,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by employees of Timber Cannabis, a seven-location cannabis dispensary chain in Michigan. The lawsuit alleged that management appropriated tips left by customers in 2024, after budtenders had previously earned up to $150 per shift in gratuities The lead plaintiff, budtender ...
Cannabis Stocks Decline as Federal Reform Stalls in U.S
LOS ANGELES- U.S. cannabis stocks have declined sharply as investor enthusiasm dampens amid continued delays in federal reform. The AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF dropped around 48% in 2024, with company shares like Curaleaf, Verano, and Green Thumb falling between 31% and 73%. The market’s downturn is rooted in persistent regulatory obstacles: Congress has not ...
Minnesota Awards 249 Cannabis Business Licenses in State’s First Lottery
LOS ANGELES- Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) held its inaugural lottery on June 5, 2025, awarding 249 provisional licenses for social equity and general applicants across four categories: cultivator, manufacturer, mezzobusiness, and retailer. The recipients were selected from 776 qualified applicants, with social equity participants—including military veterans, individuals from economically disadvantaged areas, and those ...
Trump Administration Proposes Elimination of Federal Protections for State Medical Cannabis Programs
LOS ANGELES- The Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal includes the removal of a longstanding provision that prohibits the Department of Justice (DOJ) from using federal funds to interfere with state-legal medical cannabis programs. This provision, known as the Rohrabacher–Farr amendment, has been in place since 2014 and has been renewed annually to protect ...
Italy Enacts Security Decree Targeting Protests, Squatting, and Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES— Italy's Senate has passed a comprehensive security decree introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition, intensifying penalties for public demonstrations, unauthorized property occupations, and the commercial sale of certain cannabis products. The legislation, approved with 109 votes in favor, 69 against, and one abstention, follows prior approval by the lower house and ...
Cannabis Use Among Seniors Sees Significant Uptick
LOS ANGELES- A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights a notable increase in cannabis use among U.S. adults aged 65 and older. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates that past-month cannabis use in this demographic rose from 4.8% in 2021 to 7.0% in 2023, marking a nearly 46% ...
Atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech Announce Strategic Merger to Form Atai Beckley
LOS ANGELES- Atai Life Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, and Beckley Psytech, a private UK-based biotechnology firm, have announced a definitive agreement to merge, creating a new entity named Atai Beckley. The all-share transaction values Beckley Psytech at approximately $370 million, with its shareholders set to receive about 105 million new shares, representing a 31% stake ...
California Cannabis Industry Pursues Self-Regulation
LOS ANGELES- In response to ongoing regulatory challenges and concerns about product safety, California's cannabis industry is exploring self-regulation measures to bolster consumer trust and ensure compliance within the legal market. The Environmental Consumer Compliance Organization (ECCO), a newly established industry-led group, recently conducted its inaugural audit of a licensed cannabis business in California. This ...
Federal Court Invalidates Oregon’s Cannabis Labor Neutrality Law
LOS ANGELES- A federal judge has ruled that Oregon's Measure 119, which mandated labor neutrality agreements for cannabis businesses, is unconstitutional. The decision impacts the regulatory landscape for the state's cannabis industry. Measure 119, approved by voters in November 2024, required cannabis businesses to enter into labor peace agreements with unions as a condition for ...
Consumers Pay Premium for Fast-Acting Cannabis Edibles
LOS ANGELES- A recent industry analysis reveals that cannabis consumers are increasingly favoring fast-acting edible products, demonstrating a willingness to pay higher prices for quicker onset effects. The 2025 Edibles Premiumization Report, conducted by cannabis brand Azuca in collaboration with market research firm BDSA, indicates that fast-acting cannabis gummies, though comprising only 3% of the ...
Indigenous Tribes Expand Presence in U.S. Cannabis and Hemp Sectors
LOS ANGELES- A recent analysis by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and law firm Vicente LLP reveals that approximately 26% of the 358 federally recognized Indigenous communities in the continental United States are now engaged in cannabis or hemp programs. This marks a significant development in tribal economic initiatives, with over 100 tribal cannabis ...
The Cannabist Company Receives Court Approval for Corporate Restructuring Plan
LOS ANGELES- The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. a U.S.-based cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, and retailer, has obtained final approval from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) for its previously announced Plan of Arrangement under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act. This court approval marks a significant step in the company's efforts to ...
Humboldt Family Farms: Terroir and Cannabis
The concept of terroir, traditionally rooted in French viticulture, refers to the unique set of environmental factors that influence the growth and characteristics of a crop. While usually associated with wine, the application of terroir to cannabis cultivation has gained significant attention, especially as the industry evolves and matures in the context of legalization and ...
Rubicon Organics Appoints Glen Ibbott as Interim CFO
LOS ANGELES- Rubicon Organics Inc. a Canadian producer of certified organic cannabis products, has appointed Glen Ibbott as Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective May 15, 2025. This leadership change follows the departure of Janis Risbin from her full-time role; she will remain in an advisory capacity during the transition period. Glen Ibbott brings over 25 ...
High-Paying Roles in the Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES- As the cannabis industry continues its expansion across the United States, it presents a variety of high-paying career opportunities. Positions such as cultivation directors, compliance officers, and extraction technicians are in demand, offering competitive salaries and requiring specialized skills. Top-Paying Positions in the Cannabis Sector Director of Cultivation: Oversees all aspects of cannabis ...
Humboldt Family Farms: The Science of Natural Light
In the lush tapestry of cannabis cultivation, the sun shines like a master artist, painting each plant with strokes of light that define its essence. The embrace of natural sunlight not only stimulates the growth of cannabis, but also intricately weaves the complex profiles of cannabinoids and terpenes that true connoisseurs cherish. As the cannabis ...
New York Cannabis Policy Faces Criticism Amid Regulatory Challenges
LOS ANGELES- Boris Jordan, CEO of Curaleaf Holdings Inc., a multi-state cannabis operator, has publicly criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul and state cannabis regulators, alleging that current policies are detrimental to established medical cannabis businesses. Jordan contends that the state's approach, including substantial fees for medical operators seeking entry into the adult-use market, is ...
Cybin Secures Additional U.S. Patent for CYB003
LOS ANGELES- Cybin Inc. a biopharmaceutical company, announced the granting of U.S. patent 12,291,499 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This patent pertains to pharmaceutical compositions and oral dosage forms within the company's CYB003 program, a deuterated psilocin analog currently in Phase 3 development for the adjunctive treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). ...
The Hemp Surge: A Growing Challenge to Regulated Cannabis
NEW YORK — The legal line between hemp and cannabis in the U.S., drawn by the 2018 Farm Bill, was meant to clarify regulation. Instead, it created a set of inconsistencies that still affect how businesses operate, how laws are enforced, and how states build cannabis policy. While licensed cannabis businesses deal with strict systems ...
Navigating Local Cannabis Regulations: A State-by-State Guide
NEW YORK — Cannabis regulation in the United States functions as a multi-layered governance system, where legal authority is distributed across federal, state, and local levels—with local jurisdictions exerting the most immediate control over real-world operations. While public and investor attention often centers on statewide legalization milestones, the practical determinants of market access—zoning approvals, permitting ...
Maine Considers Stricter Medical Cannabis Regulations
LOS ANGELES- Maine lawmakers are evaluating two legislative proposals aimed at enhancing safety standards within the state's medical cannabis program. The bills, LD 104 and LD 1847, seek to introduce mandatory testing for contaminants and implement seed-to-sale tracking systems. While proponents argue these measures are necessary for consumer protection, small-scale growers express concerns over potential ...
St. Louis Dispensary Chain Faces Lawsuit Over Unpaid Cannabis Product Invoices
LOS ANGELES- Curio Manufacturing, a cannabis supplier, has filed a lawsuit against Heya Missouri Holdings, alleging nonpayment for cannabis products valued at $61,126. The lawsuit claims that Curio shipped these products to Heya's three dispensary locations in the St. Louis area, but has not received payment. The legal action underscores the financial challenges within Missouri's ...
The Role of Government Relations in Cannabis Industry Success
NEW YORK — In highly regulated industries, success depends not only on how well a business operates, but also on how well it fits within the rules set by government. This is especially true in the cannabis sector, where the legal landscape is still developing, shaped by political shifts, and varies significantly between jurisdictions. Government ...
