Insights
Massachusetts Regulators Scrap Pilot Program for Cannabis Consumption Cafes, Prioritize Broader Approach
BOSTON-- In a bid to expedite the establishment of cannabis consumption lounges, Massachusetts marijuana regulators have made the decision to cancel a long-planned pilot program for such establishments. The move comes as members of the Cannabis Control Commission deemed the original pilot program outdated and restrictive, opting instead for a more expansive approach, according to ...
California’s Legal Cannabis Market Faces Declining Sales in Q1 2023
LOS ANGELES- California's legal cannabis market continues to grapple with challenges, as indicated by the latest tax and sales numbers released by the state's Department of Tax and Fee Administration. According to the agency's report this week, the state recorded $216 million in sales during the first quarter of 2023, based on $1.2 billion in ...
Clearmind Medicine Initiates Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial of CMND-100 for Alcohol Use Disorder at Yale School of Medicine
LOS ANGELES-- Clearmind Medicine Inc. has selected Yale School of Medicine as the first site in the United States for its Phase I/IIa clinical trial of CMND-100, a proprietary compound aimed at treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). The trial will assess the safety and efficacy of CMND-100, which contains the active ingredient MEAI (5-methoxy-2-aminoindane), a ...
PharmaDrug Appoints David Posner as Advisor to Enhance Shareholder Value and Explores Strategic Options for Cepharanthine and DMT Programs
LOS ANGELES-- PharmaDrug Inc. has announced the appointment of David Posner to its Advisory Committee and as a consultant for strategic initiatives and corporate restructuring. Posner, known for his involvement in the cannabis, psychedelic, and fintech sectors, brings valuable expertise to PharmaDrug. His track record includes founding companies like Red Light Holland and Psyched Wellness, ...
Study: Smoking Cannabis Doesn’t Carry Same Risks as Smoking Tobacco
LOS ANGELES-New research published in the journal Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases has revealed that cannabis use is not associated with a heightened risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), even among individuals who possess a clinically high risk for the disease. The longitudinal study, led by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, ...
MindMed’s Phase Study for Generalized Anxiety Disorder Enrolls +50% of Participants
LOS ANGELES-- Mind Medicine (MindMed), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for brain health disorders, provided an update on its Phase 2b study evaluating MM-120 (lysergide D-tartrate) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The study has enrolled and dosed over 50% of the targeted participants and is on track for topline results to be ...
Arizona to Award $5 Million in Grants for Clinical Studies on Psilocybin Mushrooms
PHONIX-- Arizona is set to allocate $5 million in grants for researchers to conduct clinical studies on the therapeutic potential of hallucinogenic psilocybin mushrooms. The state's recently approved budget for fiscal year 2024 includes a competitive grant program overseen by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). The grant recipients will conduct clinical trials focusing ...
CASE STUDY: What Can Cannabis Leaders Learn From Mid-Day Squares?
LOS ANGELES--Mid-Day Squares, the brainchild of Nick Saltarelli, Lezlie Karls, and Jake Karls, has emerged as a captivating force in the world of chocolate. This family-owned business has embarked on a mission to combat mid-day sugar cravings with a range of wholesome snacks, all while cleverly weaving its brand identity through a captivating content-driven approach. ...
A Leap Forward: The Psychedelic Revolution in Mainstream Medicine
LOS ANGELES-- Psychedelic-assisted therapy, though still viewed with skepticism by some segments of society, has taken a significant step towards mainstream medical acceptance. The American Medical Association (AMA), a key player in the U.S. healthcare system, has recently announced its intention to develop a set of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for this emerging field ...
New York Unveils Revised Cannabis Regulations, Opening Doors to Recreational Market and Consumption Sites
NEW YORK New York's highly anticipated revised cannabis industry regulations were released on Wednesday by the Office of Cannabis Management, sparking excitement among stakeholders who promptly began analyzing the document for significant changes. The new rules are set to be discussed during Thursday's Cannabis Control Board meeting. Legal experts from the East Coast wasted no ...
Weizmann Institute Scientists Make Revolutionary Discovery in Cannabinoid Biosynthesis
TEL AVIV-- In a groundbreaking study published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Plants, Weizmann Institute scientists have uncovered a new way to produce cannabinoids using the Helichrysum umbraculigerum plant. Led by Dr. Shirley (Paula) Berman, the research team discovered an alternative, non-cannabis plant-derived production system that can produce highly efficient and flawless end-to-end cannabinoid ...
The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency Establishes State-Run Testing Lab
LOS ANGELES-- The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) is taking steps to build trust in the state's cannabis industry by establishing a new state-run testing lab. The agency hopes that the lab will enable it to stymie the flow of illicit products into the legal market, monitor private sector labs, and establish standard testing methodologies. ...
Survey: Patients Frequently Report Using Cannabis to Combat Sleep Disorders
SYDNEY, Australia-–Cannabis is increasingly being consumed by patients to treat sleep-related issues, particularly insomnia, according to survey data published in the journal Nature and Science of Sleep. Researchers affiliated with the University of Sydney surveyed 1,600 Australians regarding their use of medical cannabis, and found that 64% of those surveyed used cannabis to mitigate symptoms ...
More Studies Link Cannabis Use to Greater Levels of Exercise
LOS ANGELES-As more states legalize cannabis, research continues to shed light on the various ways people are incorporating the plant into their daily routines. A recent study found that cannabis is increasingly being used to help people exercise, with many reporting that it helps them enjoy physical activity and even push themselves harder. Two recent ...
Willow Industries Launches Willow Scientific, a New Microbial Consulting Service Suite for the Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES-- Willow Industries, a company specializing in cannabis kill-step and decontamination technology, has announced the launch of Willow Scientific, a new tiered suite of microbial consulting services designed to address and solve contamination at the source. The service offers a proactive approach for long-term success, leveraging the expertise of Willow's team of cannabis microbiology ...
New Research: Terpenes in Cannabis Modulate Interaction Between THC and Its Endogenous Receptor
TEL AVIV, Israel --A new study published in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology has found that terpenes found in the cannabis plant may play a more important role than THC in enhancing the plant's effects. The study, conducted by Israeli scientists, evaluated the role of terpenes in CB1 receptor-mediated functions, and assessed the extent to which ...
A Brief History of The Word Cannabis
LOS ANGELES - Cannabis has been a topic of discussion for centuries, with the plant being used for medicinal, recreational, and spiritual purposes around the world. But where did the word "cannabis" come from, and how has this plant been referred to throughout history? The genus cannabis was first described by the botanist Carl Linnaeus ...
Chill Medicated Makes History as First Cannabis Brand to Sponsor a National Sports Tournament
LOS ANGELES-- Chill Medicated, a cannabis brand with a mission to destigmatize the plant and promote its potential for athlete wellness and recovery, has announced its sponsorship of the Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Organization (WCLO) championship in Round Rock, Texas. This groundbreaking sponsorship marks the first time a cannabis brand has sponsored a nationally recognized sports ...
Glass House Brands to Hold 2nd Annual Investor Sesh at Camarillo SoCal Facility, the Largest Cannabis Farm in the US
LOS ANGELES-- Glass House Brands, a leading cannabis company, has announced its plans to hold its 2nd Annual Investor Sesh at the Camarillo SoCal facility on June 23, 2023. The event will include the company's annual general meeting and a Q&A session with the C-Suite and Head of Investor Relations. This unique event in the ...
PBC 2023 Conference to Feature Keynote Panel of State Cannabis Regulators: A Forum for Industry and Government Collaboration
LOS ANGELES-- PBC 2023, the annual conference that brings together government and industry leaders, is set to feature a keynote panel discussion among cannabis regulators from some of the largest state-legal cannabis markets. The two-day conference in Washington D.C. is expected to draw more than 600 executives and influential thought leaders, providing a platform for ...
Global Cannabis Brand Cookies Accused of Using Threats, Violence, and Kickbacks to Enrich Leaders
LOS ANGELES-- Two investors of California-based cannabis brand Cookies have filed a lawsuit alleging that its leaders have been engaging in threats, violence, and financial kickbacks to enrich themselves at the expense of the company's shareholders. The suit names Cookies CEO, Gilbert Milam (also known as Berner), President Parker Berling, CFO Ian Habenicht, board member ...
Record-Breaking 4/20 Sales Show Maturation and Sustainability Of The Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES-- April 20th, also known as 4/20, has come and gone, and it looks like it was a record-breaking year for the cannabis industry. According to industry data, this year's 4/20 was the busiest in history for dispensaries by average transaction count. Flowhub, a cannabis retail management platform, reported a 5% increase in average ...
Oregon Health Authority Licenses State’s First Three Facilitators for Psilocybin Services
OREGON-- Oregon has become the first state in the US to implement a regulatory framework for the production of psilocybin products and the provision of psilocybin services. The state's regulatory framework was created by M109, the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act. On April 18, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that it had licensed the first ...
Psychedelic Drug Regulation: Three US States Make Moves to Legalize Psilocybin and MDMA for Mental Health Treatment
LOS ANGELES-- Over the past few weeks, several states in the United States have been making strides in the area of psychedelic drug regulation, specifically around the compound psilocybin found in magic mushrooms. Three states have been particularly active in this space: Hawaii, Iowa, and Washington. Hawaii’s legislature introduced HB 1340 in January 2023, which ...
Cannabis Retailers Prepare for Massive Sales on 4/20, the Unofficial Cannabis Holiday
LOS ANGELES-- Tech firms tracking sales in the cannabis industry are predicting a "massive" sales day for retailers on April 20th, also known as 4/20, which they have dubbed the industry's Super Bowl or Black Friday. Socrates Rosenfeld, CEO of I Heart Jane, a California-based tech platform helping marijuana retailers, expects a 100% increase in ...