Insights

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In a recent press briefing, White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre underscored President Joe Biden's longstanding support for the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes, signaling a potentially significant shift in the federal stance towards cannabis legislation. This statement comes on the heels of a pivotal recommendation from the U.S. Department of Health ...

LOS ANGELES — Chronic neuropathic pain sufferers might find a beacon of hope in the medicinal properties of cannabis. A recent study out of Hamburg, Germany, indicates that cannabis inhalation can lead to notable improvements in pain and sleep for those battling chronic neuropathy. Neuropathy arises from damaged peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal ...

LOS ANGELES-- The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) hit another roadblock in its licensing process as it announced an administrative stay on Thursday, according to AL.com. This suspension follows two unsuccessful attempts by the AMCC to issue licenses. The first setback occurred due to "potential inconsistencies" in the scoring data, while a subsequent attempt was ...

LOS ANGELES— Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, perceived by many as a strong GOP contender against Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination, voiced strong concerns about the legalization of cannabis during an Iowa campaign stop on August 26. Fielding a question from an attendee during a meet-and-greet event sponsored by the super PAC Never Back ...

LOS ANGELES— In a pivotal stride toward diversifying its economy, The Bahamas has rolled out a comprehensive package of 11 legislative bills, aiming to decriminalize cannabis for medical, research, and religious uses. This move establishes a foundation for a burgeoning medical cannabis industry, aligning with the country’s broader economic vision. According to the Office of ...

LOS ANGELES-- The rapid emergence of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, has brought with it new hope for individuals struggling with various mental health issues, most notably depression. The recent preprint study titled “Psilocybin desynchronizes brain networks” offers a comprehensive insight into how ...

LOS ANGELES— A proposal aimed at reducing the time frame that law enforcement officer recruits in Nebraska must abstain from cannabis use prior to training has been vetoed by Governor Jim Pillen. The measure sought to decrease the mandatory waiting period from 24 months to 12 months before recruits could commence their training. The proposal, ...

LAS VEGAS, NV — In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the booming Florida cannabis market, multi-state vertically integrated cannabis company, Planet 13 Holdings Inc., announced a membership interest purchase agreement to take over all ownership interests of VidaCann, LLC. VidaCann's Role in the Market VidaCann, primarily based in Florida, is a key ...

NEW YORK-- Canadian cannabis titans have long eyed the American hemp-derived CBD market as a golden opportunity, particularly following the legalization of low-THC hemp in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill. But as enthusiasm for cannabis investments wanes, several of Canada's leading cannabis firms are retreating from their American hemp CBD endeavors. The Initial U.S. Foray: ...

LOS ANGELES-- The state of Minnesota has experienced a significant increase in tax revenue following the legalization of cannabis-infused products such as gummies and beverages. A recent report from the state Department of Revenue, as highlighted by CBS News, has shown that nearly $600,000 was collected last month alone from the sales of these products. ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a significant policy move, Missouri's Department of Social Services has allowed foster parents in the state to legally possess and cultivate cannabis. The emergency rule, put in place last week, aligns the state's foster care system with Amendment 3, the mandate passed by Missouri voters in November 2022, which legalized and regulated ...

LOS ANGELES — Several Texas cities, in a progressive stride, are taking individual steps toward decriminalizing cannabis possession, a move seen as a response to the state Senate's reluctance to pass a House-endorsed bill centered on cannabis decriminalization, streamlined expungement, and medical cannabis provisions for chronic pain. Lubbock, a prominent city in northeast Texas, is ...

TRENTON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy, in collaboration with Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, recently unveiled an initiative committing $15 million to Community-Based Violence Intervention (CBVI) programs, with a portion of these funds stemming from New Jersey’s dedicated cannabis tax fund. The recent allocation demonstrates Governor Murphy’s consistent commitment to violence intervention, having previously channeled ...

LOS ANGELES — Missouri, in its latest bid to bolster the integrity of its burgeoning cannabis sector, has ushered in stringent rules to stymie the practice of "lab shopping"— a trend where cannabis producers take their products to multiple testing labs, eventually allying with the one offering the most favorable results. As reported by the ...

LOS ANGELES — South Dakota's medical cannabis program has issued nearly twice as many patient cards as initially projected, according to the state official responsible for overseeing the initiative. Jennifer Seale, the administrator for the program, reported to the state legislature on Monday that the South Dakota Department of Health has distributed around 11,500 cards ...

LOS ANGELES — An unfolding financial dispute between the small Maryland town of Hancock and the Florida-based cannabis giant, Trulieve Cannabis, highlights the intricate dynamics of municipal investments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry. Dating back to 2015, Hancock agreed to permit Arizona's Harvest, a cannabis enterprise, to inaugurate a medical cannabis cultivation and processing ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a move that underscores the shifting landscape of mental health therapy, Tampa-based biopharmaceutical company Psilera announced on Wednesday that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its synthetic psychedelic compounds, crafted specifically for home-based mental health treatments. This crucial patent provides robust protections for ...

LOS ANGELES— The cannabis landscape in the U.S. is rapidly shifting, with each state crafting its narrative. From Maryland's remarkable entry to Michigan's booming market, Illinois's unique challenges, and Colorado's stellar tax earnings, the industry's trajectory offers an array of financial insights. In Maryland: A Strategic Start July witnessed Maryland's debut into the recreational cannabis ...

LOS ANGELES— As the broader Pacific Northwest embraces cannabis legalization, Idaho remains a notable holdout. But Kind Idaho, an advocacy group, is undeterred, seeking to introduce medical cannabis in the state. In Idaho, where no form of cannabis is legal, the group is tirelessly collecting signatures for their proposal to be included in next year's ...

LOS ANGELES — As Ohio inches closer to a potential shift in its stance on adult-use cannabis, significant opposition emerges from top state officials. Last week, Governor Mike DeWine (R) expressed his dissent, stating to the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board that the proposed reforms would “be a real mistake,” a sentiment echoed by WSYX reports. ...

LOS ANGELES-- Missouri's Auditor, Scott Fitzpatrick, has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the state's medical and adult-use cannabis programs. The probe, as reported by KCTV, aims to ensure that these programs are operating within legal parameters and maintaining transparency. The scope of the audit will span five years, starting from 2018 and culminating on June ...

AUSTIN-Cannabis and hemp, derived from the same plant, can be hard to tell apart by sight or smell. But their legal paths are quite different: hemp is legal, while cannabis is still illegal. In 2019, Texas passed a law that made hemp legal but kept cannabis illegal. This has caused confusion across the state. Some ...

LOS ANGELES — Florida's hemp industry, which was previously alarmed by a proposal to set limits on THC in hemp-derived products, may need to brace itself again. Lawmakers behind the shelved proposal indicated Wednesday they might reconsider the limits in the 2024 legislative session. Sen. Colleen Burton and Rep. Will Robinson, both Republicans, had hoped that ...

NEW YORK-- Scott Fitzpatrick, the Missouri State Auditor, has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the state’s adult-use and medical cannabis programs. This move aims to ensure the adherence of these programs to legal standards, KCTV reports. The audit will span a period of five years, from the inception of the medical cannabis program in 2018 ...