Insights
U.S. Policy Shifts on Cannabis and Psilocybin for Chronic Pain Management
LOS ANGELES- In a landmark policy shift, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has announced plans to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance, a category that includes less restricted drugs. This change reflects a growing recognition of the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis, historically used for pain relief and ...
South Dakota Moves Toward Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws (SDBML), a cannabis advocacy group, has recently submitted 29,030 signatures to South Dakota's Secretary of State in a bid to get an adult-use cannabis initiative on the November ballot. The Secretary of State's office, headed by Monae Johnson, must verify at least 17,508 of these signatures by ...
Vermont Legislature Passes Overdose Prevention Center Funding
LOS ANGELES -The Vermont legislature has recently passed a measure that aims to address the state's overdose crisis by establishing an overdose prevention center in Burlington. The Senate approved the proposal on May 2 with a 21 to 8 vote, and the House followed suit on Tuesday with a 96 to 35 vote. The measure, ...
New Hampshire Senate Committee Approves Cannabis Legalization Bill
LOS ANGELES- For the first time, a Senate committee in New Hampshire has approved a cannabis legalization bill, marking a significant milestone in the state's legislative history. House Bill 1633, which recently passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by a narrow 3-2 vote, previously garnered strong support in the House of Representatives with a 239 to ...
Illinois Expands Cannabis Retail Licenses to Enhance Social Equity
LOS ANGELES- The Illinois state government has introduced an additional 35 social equity cannabis retail licenses to its recreational market, a move announced late last week, with expectations to issue another 13 in the forthcoming weeks. This expansion brings the total number of dispensaries in Illinois to 202, which includes 92 social equity establishments, as ...
Cannabis Industry Licensing Trends
LOS ANGELES- The rapid expansion of the cannabis industry in North America has shown signs of cooling in the first quarter of 2024, with a noticeable decline in the number of both active licenses and new applicants in the U.S. and Canada. This slowdown reflects a broader trend of market saturation and economic challenges impacting ...
Minnesota’s Strategic Early Cannabis Licensing Initiative
LOS ANGELES- Minnesota lawmakers are evaluating a measure to issue some cannabis cultivation licenses prematurely to circumvent delays in the upcoming adult-use cannabis program. The move, reported by the Star Tribune, aims to utilize existing medical cannabis regulations to facilitate early cultivation by select companies, potentially prior to 2025. This initiative targets preempting bottlenecks anticipated ...
DEA Reschedules Cannabis, Boosting Industry and Sparking Calls for More Reform
LOS ANGELES- This week, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made a significant policy shift by reclassifying cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III, alongside drugs like Tylenol with codeine and testosterone. This decision, reported by the Associated Press and based on information from unnamed sources, is seen ...
Public Safety and Inclusivity Drive Support for Cannabis Banking Legislation
LOS ANGELES- A recent poll by Morning Consult indicates that 64% of Americans support allowing cannabis businesses access to traditional banking services, suggesting such measures could enhance public safety. The poll aligns with growing legislative momentum behind the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFER) Banking Act, which aims to integrate legal cannabis businesses into the mainstream ...
Federal Reclassification of Cannabis Unlikely to Resolve Banking Challenges
LOS ANGELES- Despite the potential federal reclassification of cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, significant banking hurdles remain for state-legal cannabis companies. The American Bankers Association (ABA) has highlighted that the change in scheduling will not alleviate the legal barriers that prevent these businesses from accessing traditional financial services. The ABA has ...
Lophos Holdings Inc. Expands Peyote Cultivation
Lophos Holdings Inc. — Lophos Holdings Inc., through its subsidiary Lophos Pharmaceuticals Corp., announces the successful planting of 3,000 peyote seeds, significantly surpassing its initial cultivation target of 1,000 plants for the year 2024. This expansion is part of the company's strategic response to the growing demand for natural psychedelics in therapeutic applications. Strategic Expansion ...
Upcoming Cannabis Legislation: Initiatives in Nebraska, Idaho, and Arkansas
LOS ANGELES- In the evolving landscape of U.S. cannabis legislation, three states—Nebraska, Idaho, and Arkansas—are poised to make significant strides. Nebraska and Idaho are looking to legalize medical cannabis, while Arkansas aims to expand its existing medical cannabis program. Arkansas Arkansas is set to consider an initiative that would significantly broaden its medical cannabis program, ...
California Moves Closer to Legalizing Cannabis Cafés
LOS ANGELES- California's legislative efforts to allow cannabis cafés took a significant step forward as Assembly Bill 1775, championed by Representative Matt Haney (D), passed through a second Assembly committee. The bill received favorable votes in the Committee on Governmental Organization by a margin of 13 to 2, following an earlier approval from the Committee ...
Study Finds THC Increases Survival Time in Palliative Care Patients
LOS ANGLES- A recent study conducted by German researchers has found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may significantly extend the survival time of ambulatory palliative patients. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, the study explores the effects of THC on patients who typically receive it to improve sleep quality, appetite, and to reduce anxiety, ...
DEA Challenges Right to Try Psilocybin Use in Court
LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has requested a federal appeals court to refuse Dr. Sunil Aggarwal's application to use psilocybin for terminally ill patients, citing the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) which does not allow exemptions under Right to Try laws. Dr. Aggarwal, who leads the Advanced Integrative Medical Science Institute in Seattle, ...
Study Reveals High THC Levels in Smokable Hemp Products
LOS ANGELES- A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has revealed that a significant majority of smokable hemp products contain THC levels that exceed federal legal limits, classifying them as illegal under current regulations. The analysis, which appeared in the Journal of Forensic Chemistry, tested 53 smokable hemp products ...
Cresco Labs Workers Vote to Leave Union
LOS ANGELES- In a notable development in the cannabis industry, employees at Cresco Labs' cultivation facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, have opted to de-unionize. The decision, made ahead of the expiration of their current contract this June, marks a significant shift, as it represents one of the first instances where unionized cannabis workers have chosen ...
Governor Pritzker Campaigns for Biden, Highlighting Cannabis Policy and Political Strategy
LOS ANGELES- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker campaigned for President Joe Biden in Grand Rapids, Michigan, using the occasion of the 420 cannabis holiday to discuss the economic benefits of cannabis legalization. Pritzker highlighted the positive impacts seen in Illinois and Michigan, states that have both legalized cannabis for adult use. He credited these policy changes ...
U.S. and State Legislators Address Diverse Cannabis-Related Issues
LOS ANGELES- Recent legislative developments across the United States reflect a broad spectrum of approaches to cannabis-related issues, from medical use and public safety to regulatory and expungement processes. These actions signify ongoing, nuanced dialogues within federal and state governments concerning the status and management of cannabis. At the federal level, the Senate Foreign Relations ...
Uncertainty Looms Over Florida’s Cannabis Legalization Vote
LOS ANGELES- Florida is approaching a pivotal moment as it prepares to vote on the legalization of recreational cannabis in November. Current polling data suggests a tight race towards achieving the required 60% supermajority needed for passage. Insights from the USA Today/Ipsos and Florida Atlantic University/Mainstreet Research polls depict a hesitant electorate, potentially jeopardizing the ...
Colorado Senate Passes Stringent Digital Content Bill on Cannabis and Other Substances
LOS ANGELES- The Colorado Senate recently approved SB24-158, legislation aimed at intensifying regulations on social media content concerning cannabis, psychedelics, and hemp products. This bill, met with a significant debate over free speech and the regulation of digital content, is poised to reshape how such substances are discussed online within the state. Amendments and Opposition ...
Michigan Cannabis Sales Hit New Record in March 2024
LOS ANGELES- The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced a new record in adult-use cannabis sales for March 2024, totaling $286.8 million. This figure represents 99% of the state's cannabis sales, with flower products leading at $131.4 million. Vape cartridges followed with $54.4 million in sales, $33.9 million in inhalable concentrates, and edibles at $26.3 ...
Illinois Legislation Targets Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products
LOS ANGELES- In a recent legislative move in Illinois, lawmakers have proposed a ban on intoxicating hemp products, including delta-8 THC. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to implement tighter controls on the hemp industry following the legalization of hemp by the 2018 Farm Bill. The proposed legislation aims to eliminate products like delta-8 THC, ...
North Dakota Seeks to Revive Adult-Use Cannabis Initiative for November Ballot
LOS ANGELES- In North Dakota, cannabis advocates are rallying to place an adult-use cannabis question on the ballot for the upcoming November general election. The initiative, led by former Bismarck mayor and current Burleigh County Commissioner Steve Bakken, requires the collection of 16,000 valid signatures by July 8 to qualify for inclusion. Bakken emphasized the ...
Cannabis Legalization in North Carolina
LOS ANGELES- In North Carolina, the path to legalizing recreational cannabis remains uncertain, with recent legislative efforts failing to achieve the necessary bipartisan support. The state's cautious approach, especially the lack of Republican backing, highlights the political hurdles facing pro-cannabis legislation. Economic considerations are a significant factor in the cannabis legalization debate. Projections suggest that ...
