Justice
North Carolina Governor Proposes Cannabis Legalization to Curb Unregulated Hemp Market
LOS ANGELES- North Carolina Governor Josh Stein (D) has urged legalization and regulation of adult-use cannabis to address growing public health concerns surrounding the state’s unregulated hemp-derived THC market. In a video posted on X, Stein noted that “unregulated THC products that are intoxicating” are widely available in vape shops, with no age restrictions or ...
GOP Panel Requests Review of Cannabis Rescheduling by Biden Administration
LOS ANGELES- A Republican-led congressional subcommittee is urging a formal investigation into the Biden administration’s handling of the federal cannabis rescheduling process. The request, made in a report accompanying the fiscal year 2026 funding bill for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), centers on concerns that the administration deviated from long-established drug evaluation ...
North Carolina Governor Establishes Cannabis Advisory Council Amid Unregulated THC Market
LOS ANGELES- North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has issued an executive order forming a 24–30 member North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis to develop policy recommendations aimed at regulating cannabis products and formalizing legalization strategies, including adult-use proposals. The council will convene beginning July 2025 at least every other month until December 2026, submitting preliminary ...
Massachusetts House Approves Cannabis Oversight Reform Bill
LOS ANGELES- The Massachusetts House of Representatives has unanimously passed legislation aimed at restructuring the state's cannabis regulatory framework. The bill, designated as H 4187, seeks to address administrative challenges and enhance oversight within the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Key Provisions of the Legislation Under the proposed changes, the CCC would transition from a five-member ...
Texas Expands Medical Cannabis Access
LOS ANGELES- In a significant policy shift, Texas lawmakers have approved House Bill 46, expanding the state's medical cannabis program to include patients with chronic pain and those in hospice or terminal care. The bill also permits the use of additional cannabis product forms, such as patches, lotions, and prescribed inhalers, and increases the number ...
Pennsylvania Senator Introduces ‘Keystone Cannabis Act’ to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- Pennsylvania State Senator Marty Flynn (D-22) has announced plans to introduce the "Keystone Cannabis Act," a legislative proposal aimed at legalizing adult-use cannabis in the Commonwealth. The announcement follows the recent rejection of a House-passed cannabis legalization bill by the state Senate's Law and Justice Committee. The Keystone Cannabis Act seeks to establish ...
Argentina Overhauls Medical Cannabis Program with Stricter Regulations
LOS ANGELES- In 2025, Argentina implemented significant reforms to its medical cannabis program, REPROCANN, introducing stricter regulations for cultivators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and medical professionals. These changes aim to enhance oversight and ensure the program's integrity. Revised Categories and Permit Durations The updated regulations redefine participant categories within REPROCANN: Patients (Self-Cultivators): Individuals cultivating cannabis for ...
Colorado Court Dismisses Mammoth Farms’ Lawsuit Against Marijuana Enforcement Division
LOS ANGELES- A Denver District Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Mammoth Farms against the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), ruling that the cannabis cultivator must pursue regulatory changes through administrative channels rather than the judiciary. Mammoth Farms, a prominent cannabis operator based in Saguache, Colorado, alleged that the MED failed to enforce regulations ...
Minnesota Legislature Advances Cannabis Market Framework to Governor
LOS ANGELES- Minnesota lawmakers have passed a comprehensive bill aimed at refining the state's adult-use cannabis program, forwarding it to Governor Tim Walz for approval. The legislation, known as SF 2370, seeks to address regulatory challenges and expedite the establishment of a legal cannabis marketplace following the state's legalization of adult-use cannabis in 2023. The ...
Pennsylvania Senate Committee Rejects Cannabis Legalization Bill
LOS ANGELES- In a recent development, the Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee voted 7-3 against House Bill 1200, a proposal aimed at legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state. This decision follows the bill's narrow passage in the House of Representatives, where it was approved by a 102-101 vote along party lines. House Bill 1200 ...
Legalization Significantly Reduces Canada’s Illicit Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES- Recent analyses indicate that Canada's legalization of non-medical cannabis in 2018 has substantially shifted consumer spending from illicit to legal markets. Studies report that within five years of legalization, approximately 75% of cannabis expenditures transitioned to the legal sector, underscoring the policy's effectiveness in curbing unregulated sales. This transition is attributed to increased ...
Pennsylvania House Approves State-Run Recreational Cannabis Bill
LOS ANGELES- The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill to legalize recreational cannabis, proposing a state-controlled sales model. The legislation, approved by a narrow 102-101 vote along party lines, marks the first time such a measure has advanced in either chamber of the state legislature. Under the proposed framework, adults aged 21 and ...
The Hemp Surge: A Growing Challenge to Regulated Cannabis
NEW YORK — The legal line between hemp and cannabis in the U.S., drawn by the 2018 Farm Bill, was meant to clarify regulation. Instead, it created a set of inconsistencies that still affect how businesses operate, how laws are enforced, and how states build cannabis policy. While licensed cannabis businesses deal with strict systems ...
Navigating Local Cannabis Regulations: A State-by-State Guide
NEW YORK — Cannabis regulation in the United States functions as a multi-layered governance system, where legal authority is distributed across federal, state, and local levels—with local jurisdictions exerting the most immediate control over real-world operations. While public and investor attention often centers on statewide legalization milestones, the practical determinants of market access—zoning approvals, permitting ...
Fergus Falls City Council Approves Cannabis Dispensary Permits After Reversal
LOS ANGELES- the Fergus Falls City Council reversed its earlier decision and approved interim permits for two cannabis dispensaries, Sugar High and Elevate. The initial denial was based on concerns that the dispensaries were within 250 feet of local parks, potentially violating city ordinances regarding proximity to areas frequented by minors. The reversal came after ...
Calgary Authorizes Cannabis Sales at Adults-Only Events
LOS ANGELES- Calgary City Council has approved amendments to the Business Licence Bylaw, permitting licensed cannabis retailers to operate temporary sales at adults-only events, such as festivals and outdoor shows. This decision aligns the city's regulations with provincial policies established by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) in 2024. Under the new framework, ...
The Role of Government Relations in Cannabis Industry Success
NEW YORK — In highly regulated industries, success depends not only on how well a business operates, but also on how well it fits within the rules set by government. This is especially true in the cannabis sector, where the legal landscape is still developing, shaped by political shifts, and varies significantly between jurisdictions. Government ...
Government Relations at The Core
NEW YORK — In industries where business depends on regulation—such as cannabis, infrastructure, or fintech—navigating the policy environment is foundational. Laws, budget priorities, administrative procedures, and even decisions by local councils directly affect where companies can operate, what services they can provide, and what risks they must manage. Government Relations (GR) establishes the framework for ...
Politics & Policy with Jeff Guillot: The Architecture of Cannabis Regulatory Frameworks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW YORK — Highly Capitalized Network-HCN proudly announces the launch of a new original podcast, "Politics & Policy with Jeff Guillot," dedicated to politics, legislation, and the evolving cannabis industry landscape in the United States. The show is hosted by Jeff Guillot, a leading Government Relations expert, Managing Partner at MAD Global ...
California Lawmakers Advance Bill to Halt Cannabis Excise Tax Increase
LOS ANGELES- California's legal cannabis industry is confronting a potential tax increase that stakeholders warn could exacerbate existing challenges. Assembly Bill 564 (AB 564), introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), seeks to prevent the scheduled rise in the state's cannabis excise tax from 15% to 19%, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. ...
Nebraska Attorney General Challenges Voter-Approved Medical Cannabis Law
LOS ANGELES- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers continues to contest the implementation of the state's voter-approved medical cannabis law, citing concerns over the legality of the ballot initiatives and the regulatory framework established by the measures. In November 2024, Nebraska voters approved Initiatives 437 and 438, legalizing medical cannabis use and establishing the Nebraska Medical ...
$10M Medicaid Settlement Raises Alarms Over Political Spending Tied to DeSantis’ Anti-Cannabis Push
LOS ANGELES- Florida’s medical settlement funds are under scrutiny after a $10 million payment intended for charitable use was channeled to two organizations that later fueled a high-dollar campaign against adult-use cannabis in the state. The controversy centers around Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and the Hope Florida Foundation—a nonprofit closely tied to ...
Virginia General Assembly Upholds Governor’s Vetoes on Cannabis Legislation
LOS ANGELES-The Virginia General Assembly recently convened to address Governor Glenn Youngkin's vetoes and amendments on various legislative measures, including those pertaining to cannabis regulation. Despite efforts by Democratic lawmakers to overturn the vetoes, the assembly upheld the governor's decisions, maintaining the current stance on cannabis policies in the state. Among the vetoed bills was ...
TILT Holdings Addresses Default Notices from Innovative Industrial Properties
LOS ANGELES- TILT Holdings Inc., a provider of cannabis business solutions, has received default notices from Innovative Industrial Properties (IIP) concerning two properties due to outstanding rental obligations. The properties in question are located at 411 Susquehanna Street, White Haven, Pennsylvania, and 30 Mozzone Street, Taunton, Massachusetts. The default notices were issued due to ...
Massachusetts Deliberates Social Consumption Regulations for Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES- The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is progressing with plans to establish regulations for social consumption of cannabis, aiming to balance industry growth with public health and safety considerations. Proposed License Categories In December 2024, the CCC introduced draft regulations outlining three distinct license types for social consumption establishments: Supplemental License: Allows existing ...
