News
Italy Enacts Security Decree Targeting Protests, Squatting, and Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES— Italy's Senate has passed a comprehensive security decree introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition, intensifying penalties for public demonstrations, unauthorized property occupations, and the commercial sale of certain cannabis products. The legislation, approved with 109 votes in favor, 69 against, and one abstention, follows prior approval by the lower house and ...
Czech Republic Advances Cannabis Decriminalization
LOS ANGELES— The Czech Republic's Chamber of Deputies has approved a significant amendment to the nation's criminal code, decriminalizing the possession and cultivation of cannabis for personal use. The measure permits adults to grow up to three cannabis plants and possess up to 100 grams at home or 25 grams in public. Possession beyond these ...
Ascend Wellness Secures $50 Million Through Private Placement of Senior Secured Notes
LOS ANGELES- Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator, has completed a $50 million private placement of its 12.75% senior secured notes due 2029. The notes, issued at 97.5% of face value, are part of the same series as the company's previous issuances totaling $250 million in aggregate principal amount. With this ...
Alphabet Soup: Common Acronyms in Cannabis and Why You Need to Know Them
LOS ANGELES- Running a cannabis business means speaking more than the language of cultivation and branding — it means speaking compliance, with all its acronyms. You’ve likely seen a wall of them — ADA, OSHA, EEOC, FMLA, DOL, and more — and thought, “Do I really need to know all this?” The answer: absolutely. These ...
Financial and Regulatory Hurdles Challenge New Cannabis Enterprises
LOS ANGELES- Emerging cannabis businesses in the United States are encountering significant barriers to entry, primarily due to financial constraints, complex regulatory environments, and competition from established entities. Access to capital remains a primary obstacle for new cannabis ventures. Traditional banking institutions often refrain from servicing cannabis businesses because cannabis is classified as a Schedule ...
Cannabis Use Among Seniors Sees Significant Uptick
LOS ANGELES- A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights a notable increase in cannabis use among U.S. adults aged 65 and older. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates that past-month cannabis use in this demographic rose from 4.8% in 2021 to 7.0% in 2023, marking a nearly 46% ...
FLUENT Corp. Expands Indoor Cultivation with Rosa Facility in Florida
LOS ANGELES- FLUENT Corp.a vertically integrated cannabis operator, has initiated cultivation at its new Rosa indoor facility in Tampa, Florida. This development adds 9,200 square feet of high-efficiency indoor canopy to the company's operations, marking a significant step in its 2025 growth strategy. The Rosa facility comprises three sealed indoor grow rooms equipped with advanced ...
Atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech Announce Strategic Merger to Form Atai Beckley
LOS ANGELES- Atai Life Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, and Beckley Psytech, a private UK-based biotechnology firm, have announced a definitive agreement to merge, creating a new entity named Atai Beckley. The all-share transaction values Beckley Psytech at approximately $370 million, with its shareholders set to receive about 105 million new shares, representing a 31% stake ...
Comprehensive Cannabis Pangenome
LOS ANGELES- A collaborative study led by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has constructed the most comprehensive genetic map of Cannabis sativa to date, analyzing 193 genomes from 144 biological samples. This pangenome reveals extensive genetic diversity, offering insights into cannabinoid biosynthesis, plant resilience, and potential for crop improvement. Key Findings: Genetic Diversity: The ...
Cresco Labs Reports $30 Million in Q1 Operating Cash Flow
LOS ANGELES- Cresco Labs Inc. reported $30 million in operating cash flow for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting its ongoing emphasis on cash generation and financial discipline. This figure follows a record $132 million in operating cash flow for the full year 2024, more than doubling the $59 million reported in 2023 The company’s ...
Week In Review: Rubicon Organics Finalizes Conditions for Hope Facility Acquisition; Cresco Labs Reschedules Q1 2025 Earnings; London Mayor Advocates for Decriminalization of Cannabis Possession; New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Firms Propose Merger to Form Helius Health
LOS ANGELES — Welcome to the far too-exciting world of cannabis and psychedelics, where it’s a tale of two markets with some states doing amazingly well. And some, well...they're not doing so well (hello New York). Let's get to it! Cannabis Industry Highlights 1#) Rubicon Organics Finalizes Conditions for Hope Facility Acquisition: Rubicon Organics Inc. ...
California Cannabis Industry Pursues Self-Regulation
LOS ANGELES- In response to ongoing regulatory challenges and concerns about product safety, California's cannabis industry is exploring self-regulation measures to bolster consumer trust and ensure compliance within the legal market. The Environmental Consumer Compliance Organization (ECCO), a newly established industry-led group, recently conducted its inaugural audit of a licensed cannabis business in California. This ...
AYR Wellness Delays Q1 2025 Financial Filings Amid Strategic Review
LOS ANGELES- AYR Wellness Inc., a U.S.-based multi-state cannabis operator, announced a delay in filing its Q1 2025 financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), originally due on May 30, 2025. The company cited ongoing negotiations with creditors and a comprehensive strategic review as primary reasons for the postponement. The delay is attributed to ...
Australia’s Legal Cannabis Market Projects Significant Growth
LOS ANGELES- Australia's legal cannabis market is poised for substantial expansion, with projections estimating growth from USD 126.32 million in 2024 to USD 420.33 million by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.16% . This anticipated growth is underpinned by evolving regulatory frameworks and increasing consumer demand for low-dose cannabidiol (CBD) products. ...
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 ...
Cresco Labs Reschedules Q1 2025 Earnings
LOS ANGELES- Cresco Labs Inc. has announced an updated schedule for its first quarter 2025 financial disclosures. The company will file its interim financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) on Friday, May 30, 2025. A conference call and webcast to discuss the results is scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ...
London Mayor Advocates for Decriminalization of Cannabis Possession
LOS ANGELES- London Mayor Sadiq Khan has endorsed recommendations from the London Drugs Commission (LDC) to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of natural cannabis for personal use. The LDC, established by Khan in 2022 and chaired by former Justice Secretary Lord Charlie Falconer KC, conducted a comprehensive study involving over 200 experts and academics. ...
New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Firms Propose Merger to Form Helius Health
LOS ANGELES- Three of New Zealand's medicinal cannabis companies—Helius Therapeutics, Green Leaf Group, and Elysian Group—have announced plans to merge into a single entity named Helius Health. The proposed consolidation aims to integrate the full value chain of prescribing, manufacturing, and dispensing medicinal cannabis products. The merger is subject to shareholder approval, with finalization anticipated ...
MindMed Appoints Brandi Roberts as Chief Financial Officer
LOS ANGELES- Mind Medicine has announced the appointment of Brandi L. Roberts, CPA, as its Chief Financial Officer, effective June 2, 2025. Roberts will oversee the company's financial strategy, capital planning, accounting, investor relations, and information technology as MindMed advances its clinical development and commercial initiatives for its lead product candidate, MM120, an orally disintegrating ...
Federal Court Invalidates Oregon’s Cannabis Labor Neutrality Law
LOS ANGELES- A federal judge has ruled that Oregon's Measure 119, which mandated labor neutrality agreements for cannabis businesses, is unconstitutional. The decision impacts the regulatory landscape for the state's cannabis industry. Measure 119, approved by voters in November 2024, required cannabis businesses to enter into labor peace agreements with unions as a condition for ...
Consumers Pay Premium for Fast-Acting Cannabis Edibles
LOS ANGELES- A recent industry analysis reveals that cannabis consumers are increasingly favoring fast-acting edible products, demonstrating a willingness to pay higher prices for quicker onset effects. The 2025 Edibles Premiumization Report, conducted by cannabis brand Azuca in collaboration with market research firm BDSA, indicates that fast-acting cannabis gummies, though comprising only 3% of the ...
MediPharm Labs Initiates EU and UK Production of Cannabis Metered Dose Inhalers
LOS ANGELES- MediPharm Labs Corp. has commenced production of its cannabis metered dose inhalers for the European Union and United Kingdom markets. This initiative is part of an exclusive sales and distribution agreement with Blackpoint Limited, targeting the €834 million European medicinal cannabis market projected for 2024 . The inhalers are manufactured under Good Manufacturing ...
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 ...
Rubicon Organics Finalizes Conditions for Hope Facility Acquisition
LOS ANGELES- Rubicon Organics Inc. has announced the fulfillment of all conditions precedent related to its agreement with MediPharm Labs Inc. for the acquisition of a 47,500-square-foot indoor cultivation facility located in Hope, British Columbia. The transaction, valued at $4.5 million in cash, is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2025. The facility, ...
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 ...
