Insights
61% U.S. Voters Support Legalizing Psychedelic Therapies
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 ...
New Study Challenges Link Between Cannabis Use and Psychosis
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 ...
Cannabis Companies Confront Operational Challenges Amidst Severe Weather
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 ...
Compass Pathways’ Psilocybin Treatment Shows Promise for Depression
LONDON-- London-based mental health care company, Compass Pathways (Nasdaq: CMPS), announced encouraging outcomes from a phase 2 clinical trial investigating the efficacy of its synthetic psilocybin treatment, COMP360, in combination with daily SSRI antidepressants for persistent depression. The study involved 19 individuals with treatment-resistant depression and examined the safety and effectiveness of a single 25mg ...
Canadian Cannabis Entrepreneurs Turn to Micro-Cultivation to Tackle Oversupply
TORONTO-- In response to a surplus of cannabis and declining prices within the Canadian cannabis industry, cannabis entrepreneurs are increasingly embracing smaller micro-cultivation facilities as a means to reduce costs and produce higher-quality cannabis. This shift toward micro-class licenses, which operate smaller cultivation spaces, has the potential to alleviate the current supply glut in the ...
Ohio Adds Irritable Bowel Syndrome to Medical Cannabis Qualifying Conditions
LOS ANGELES-- On July 12, the State Medical Board of Ohio announced its decision to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the state's list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. However, the board rejected the addition of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to the list. The Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association (OMCIA), ...
Red Lake Nation to Open Minnesota’s First Native American Adult-Use Cannabis Store
LOS ANGELES --In a significant development for Minnesota's cannabis industry, the Red Lake Nation has voted to allow NativeCare Dispensary, an existing tribal medical cannabis dispensary, to commence sales to individuals aged 21 and older starting August 1. This decision positions the Native American tribal dispensary as a potential frontrunner in Minnesota's recreational marijuana market. ...
North Carolina Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Faces Republican Opposition
LOS ANGELES-- Efforts to legalize medical cannabis in North Carolina have hit a roadblock, as the bill that gained bipartisan support in the state Senate earlier this year has been deemed unlikely to pass in the lower chamber, confirmed Speaker Tim Moore of the state House of Representatives this week. Speaker Moore cited significant opposition ...
States Collaborate with Federal Regulators in Sharing Cannabis Data for Rescheduling Review
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant development, several states with medical cannabis programs have collaborated with U.S. health regulators to provide crucial data regarding cannabis use and its impact on patients. This information, including details about the specific cannabis products utilized and their effects, has been shared as part of the Biden administration's review to assess ...
Illinois Social Equity License Winners Face Challenges in Opening Cannabis Shops
ILLINOIS-- The 55 winners of the upcoming Illinois social equity license lottery, set to be announced on Thursday, may encounter difficulties in successfully launching their cannabis businesses. Historical data indicates that only a fraction of previously awarded social equity licenses have managed to open their doors for business. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional ...
FDA and FTC Warn Companies Selling Delta-8 THC Foods for Safety Violations
LOS ANGELES-- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have jointly taken action against six companies for illegally selling food products containing delta-8 THC, a hemp-derived compound. Warning letters were issued to Delta Munchies, Dr. Smoke LLC, Exclusive Hemp Farms/Oshipt, Nikte's Wholesale LLC, North Carolina Hemp Exchange LLC, and ...
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office Delays Plans for Cannabis Farmers Markets
NEW YORK - Plans for cannabis farmers markets in New York State have hit an impasse as Gov. Kathy Hochul's office puts the idea on hold indefinitely. The proposal, initially introduced by state regulators in May, aimed to establish farmers markets as a solution for cannabis growers facing an excess of unsold crops from 2022. ...
New York Secures $150 Million Investment to Fully Fund Social Equity Cannabis Retailers
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant boost to New York's social equity cannabis program, Chicago Atlantic Admin LLC has committed up to $150 million in senior secured capital for the Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund. The announcement, made by Gov. Kathy Hochul's office on Friday, ensures that the $200 million fund aimed at supporting social equity ...
Medical Cannabis Companies in Oklahoma Challenge Fee Increase in State Supreme Court
LOS ANGELES-- Several licensed medical cannabis companies in Oklahoma have filed a petition with the state Supreme Court, seeking the repeal of a 2022 law that increased their fee burden. The petition, filed on June 30, argues that the new fee structure violates the state constitution and is essentially a disguised revenue-raising tax rather than ...
Australia Becomes the First Country to Allow Prescription of Psychedelics for PTSD and Depression
LOS ANGELES-- Starting from July 1, doctors in Australia can now prescribe MDMA and psilocybin to patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and hard-to-treat depression. This groundbreaking move makes Australia the first nation in the world to permit the prescription of psychedelics as therapeutic medicine. The announcement of these reforms was made in February ...
New Jersey’s Cannabis Market Faces Plateau in Sales Amid Regulatory Challenges
LOS ANGELES-- Despite the growth of New Jersey's adult-use cannabis market during the first quarter of 2023, the state's overall sales figures have hit a nine-month plateau due to ongoing regulatory developments and the slow approval of new license applications. Licensed dispensaries reported approximately $145 million in adult-use sales and roughly $34.5 million in medical ...
Canadian Government Invests $3 Million in Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy Trials
LOS ANGELES-- The advancement of psychedelic medicine in Canada received a significant boost as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Carolyn Bennett, announced an investment of nearly $3 million through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This funding will support three clinical trials exploring the potential of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment option for ...
Cannabis Industry Struggles Amid Worsening Economic Conditions, Report Finds
LOS ANGELES-- In a new report published by Whitney Economics, it becomes evident that the cannabis industry in the United States is grappling with worsening economic conditions. The report, titled "Cannabis Operator Sentiment and Business Conditions Survey," sheds light on the challenges faced by plant-touching businesses, which are experiencing a decline in sales and profitability. ...
FDA Releases Draft Guidance for Research on Psychedelic Drugs
LOS ANGELES-- the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled its Draft Guidance for conducting research on psychedelic drugs. The guidance encompasses substances such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA, reflecting the growing interest in exploring the therapeutic potential of these compounds. The FDA's guidance aligns with the established best practices required by other drug and ...
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. Announces Launch of Adult Use Cannabis Sales in Maryland
LOS ANGELES-- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., a provider of cannabis products, has revealed its plans to initiate adult use cannabis sales at all four of its dispensaries in Maryland on July 1, coinciding with the state's official first day of legal adult use sales. To commemorate this momentous occasion, Curaleaf dispensaries in Montgomery Village, Frederick, Columbia, ...
Maryland Prepares for Launch of Recreational Cannabis Market on July 1
LOS ANGELES-- Maryland is gearing up for the launch of its state-legal recreational cannabis industry on Saturday, July 1, signaling a shift from its portrayal in HBO's The Wire to a regulated market for adult-use cannabis. Businesses in the state have been ramping up production to meet the anticipated surge in demand from both new ...
Colombian Lawmakers Narrowly Reject Bill for Legal Cannabis Sales
LOS ANGELES-- In a close vote of 47-43, Colombian lawmakers fell short of passing a bill that would have legalized adult-use cannabis sales nationwide. Although the measure received a majority of support in the chamber, it failed to meet the constitutional requirement for a minimum of 54 senators in favor of the bill. This outcome ...
Cannabis Industry Faces Legal Challenge as Anti-Cannabis Activists File Lawsuit in New York
NEW YORK-- A coalition comprising anti-marijuana activists and nonprofits has recently taken legal action against the state of New York, aiming to reinstate cannabis prohibition and roll back the legalization law enacted in 2021. The group, led by organizations such as the Cannabis Impact Prevention Coalition and Cannabis Industry Victims Seeking Justice, filed the lawsuit ...
FDA Releases Draft Guidance on Psychedelic Research, Paving the Way for Future Clinical Trials
LOS ANGELES-- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a groundbreaking step in the field of psychedelic research by releasing a draft guidance document aimed at providing recommendations to researchers exploring the potential of these substances for medical treatments. This development marks a significant milestone, as it is the first FDA draft guidance ...
Canada House Cannabis Group Announces Restatement of Financial Statements to Rectify Accounting Errors
LOS ANGELES-- Canada House Cannabis Group Inc. announced today the filing of a restatement of its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended January 31, 2023, and 2022. The restatement, referred to as the "Restated Financial Statements," corrects accounting errors identified subsequent to the issuance of the original unaudited condensed consolidated financial ...