Insights

LOS ANGELES-- On Tuesday, a new law officially took effect in Arkansas, clarifying that medical cannabis patients in the state can obtain concealed carry licenses for firearms. The bill, signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in April, swiftly passed through the legislature with strong majority support. Under the newly effective law, a person's status as ...

LOS ANGELES-- A recent lab study conducted by cannabis consumer research company CBD Oracle and InfiniteCAL Labs has shed light on the complexities surrounding hemp delta-9 THC products. The study analyzed 53 popular hemp delta-9 THC products and found that 26% of them sourced THC from federally-illegal marijuana plants using a proprietary analytical method. Under ...

LOS ANGELES--Shawn Collins, the executive director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, is reportedly set to resign from his position by the end of this year. Although Collins has not yet officially confirmed his departure, Commission Chair Shannon O'Brien disclosed that he took a family leave last week. The commission currently faces various challenges, and ...

LOS ANGELES-- Oklahoma's medical cannabis industry faced a significant setback when regulators discovered approximately 4,000 untagged cannabis plants and over 630 pounds of untagged cannabis at a licensed grow facility. The discovery, made during an inspection at Gold Leaf Acres by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), came as a result of an anonymous complaint. ...

LOS ANGELES-- A groundbreaking study, published in the Nature Journal Scientific Reports and sponsored by psychedelics firm Cybin Inc. (CYBN), demonstrates Kernel's Flow technology system's capability to capture and analyze brain changes following the administration of ketamine, a psychoactive substance. The research, aimed at measuring the acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on brain blood flow, ...

LOS ANGELES-- Almost a year since its inception, the Massachusetts fund designed to promote social equity in the state's cannabis industry has yet to receive funding, as reported by the Boston Business Journal, citing minutes from a recent meeting of Massachusetts' Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board. Enacted into law in August 2022, the Social Equity ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a groundbreaking step towards finding effective treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN), a phase 1 clinical trial investigated the use of psilocybin, the primary psychoactive compound in hallucinogenic mushrooms, in combination with psychotherapy. AN is a severe mental health disorder characterized by an irrational fear of gaining weight, leading to extreme food restrictions ...

LOS ANGELES— A group of strategists from California has formally introduced a proposed initiative known as the "TREAT California Act." Unlike traditional efforts focused on advocating for direct legalization, this initiative aims to create a state agency with a substantial $5 billion budget dedicated to funding and advancing research on psychedelics. The primary goal of ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant move for veterans' healthcare and research into therapeutic substances, the U.S. House of Representatives has greenlit amendments to a substantial spending bill. The amendments would enable U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical cannabis to military veterans and encourage research into substances like psilocybin and MDMA. ...

LOS ANGELES-- Ohio voters could potentially see the issue of adult-use cannabis legalization on the November ballot, but campaign organizers are facing a final hurdle before achieving that goal. The "Regulate Cannabis Like Alcohol" campaign, which aims to legalize a recreational cannabis market in Ohio, has been given a 10-day window to secure approximately 700 ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a groundbreaking development, two Black farmers in Florida have been granted medical marijuana business licenses as per the legislation signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis last month. The legalization law, which was instituted in 2017, stipulated that one medical cannabis business license be designated for a Black farmer who is part ...

LOS ANGELES-- Despite a significant decline in its stock value since its peak in 2021, Numinus Wellness Inc. remains determined to navigate the challenges in the psychedelic space. The company's management is strategically optimizing operations, targeting potential approval of MDMA-assisted therapy in 2024, and addressing cash burn concerns, rekindling investor interest. During a recent earnings ...

TORONTO-- Statistics Canada has recently released the May retail sales figures for cannabis in the country, revealing a moderate increase from April levels. According to the report, cannabis sales rose by 1.2%, reaching C$415.6 million. These numbers come after a slight downward revision for April sales, which were adjusted to C$410.6 million. On a per-day ...

LOS ANGELES-- A recent report by cannabis research firm Zuanic & Associates sheds light on the performance of the cannabis industry during the second quarter. According to the report, market conditions in most states have favored retailers over cultivators, and the growth catalyst for the industry has been primarily contingent on federal reform news rather ...

LOS ANGELES — In a significant development, a Cole County Circuit judge dismissed the case of a Missouri-based medical cannabis company that sought to halt a product recall, as reported by KMIZ. The judge's decision cited that Delta Extraction, LLC had not fully pursued administrative solutions before seeking judicial intervention, rendering the court without proper ...

LOS ANGELES-- An extensive report released by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) sheds light on the current state of cannabis consumption and regulation across the European Union. According to the report, approximately 22.2 million adults in the EU, accounting for 7.7% of the population, consumed cannabis in the past year. ...

LOS ANGELES-- A recently published study has revealed promising results for Kernel's Flow technology system, demonstrating its capacity to capture and analyze brain changes following the administration of ketamine, a psychoactive substance. The research, published in the esteemed Nature Journal Scientific Reports and sponsored by psychedelics firm Cybin Inc. (CYBN), specifically focused on measuring the ...

NEW YORK -- In a significant move, New York cannabis regulators have voted in favor of the "Cannabis Showcase" program, permitting growers to sell their products directly to the public at various events, including concerts and festivals. As reported by NBC 5, this decision aims to bolster the promotion of New York cannabis products in ...

NEW YORK-- New York State Senator George Borello (R) recently introduced a measure aimed at banning cannabis smoking and consumption in public, unless special authorization has been granted for specific locations. The legislation's Assembly version is sponsored by Republican Assemblyman Michael Novakhov, who seeks to implement rules for cannabis use similar to those in place ...

LOS ANGELES-- The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, Local 360, recently announced that the Cannabist retail location in Deptford, NJ, operated by Columbia Care, Inc., has successfully ratified its first labor contract. The contract covers dispensary associates and senior dispensary associates, and its noteworthy feature is the unanimous vote in favor of the ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released draft guidance aimed at facilitating research into classic psychedelics, such as LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin, for potential therapeutic uses in mental illness treatment. This marks a significant shift in the medical community's stance towards psychedelic medicine, a field previously regarded ...

NEW YORK-- A business owner in New York City has been ordered to forfeit over $400,000 in illegal proceeds and unpaid taxes after illegally selling cannabis at multiple shops in Manhattan, according to the Associated Press. Rami Alzandani, the owner of the business, reached a non-prosecution agreement with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, allowing him ...

SAN FRANCISCO --In a groundbreaking effort, the Berkeley Center for Psychedelic Studies (BCPS) has released the highly anticipated results of their first-ever study on the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. The study, conducted over a span of two years, has ignited hope among researchers and mental health professionals as it sheds light on the potential of ...

LOS ANGELES-- Opponents of cannabis and some mainstream media outlets have long claimed that cannabis is detrimental to human brain health, often suggesting a causal link between cannabis use and psychosis. However, a recent study conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom challenges this narrative. The study's findings, published in the journal Psychiatry and Clinical ...

LOS ANGELES-- As severe weather conditions persist, cannabis companies spanning from Northern California to South Florida are grappling with new operational obstacles. The strain on power grids and the aftermath of historic flooding in parts of the Northeast add to the difficulties faced by millions of individuals and businesses across the country due to climate ...