News
A Celebration of Cannabis Culture and Commerce: Hall of Flowers Returns to Ventura
LOS ANGELES-Hall of Flowers, one of America’s premier cannabis trade shows, founded in 2018, is poised to make a grand return to the Ventura County Fairgrounds on March 19-20, 2025. This event has become a cornerstone for cannabis businesses and consumers alike, offering a unique platform that bridges the gap between industry professionals and the ...
What You Need to Know About Capital Investment Strategies
LOS ANGELES—Every CFO needs to know that strategic capital investment in the cannabis and psychedelic industries requires a nuanced approach that balances innovation, risk management, and potential. As the market continues to transform and unfold, understanding where and how to allocate capital can spell the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving in a highly ...
Indiana House Blocks Cannabis Reclassification
LOS ANGELES- On January 27, 2025, the Indiana House of Representatives voted down an amendment to House Bill 1056 that sought to remove cannabis from the state's list of Schedule I controlled substances. The amendment, proposed by Representative Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne), aimed to reclassify cannabis, thereby initiating discussions on its potential legalization within Indiana. ...
Rastafarians Lead Caribbean Cannabis Boom
LOS ANGELES- In recent years, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has witnessed a transformative shift in its cannabis industry, particularly benefiting Rastafarian farmers who have long regarded the plant as sacred. Historically, these cultivators faced significant challenges, including the destruction of their crops during U.S.-backed anti-narcotics operations. As cannabis gains global recognition for its ...
Florida’s Cannabis Market Sees Shift as Smaller Operators Capture Market Share
LOS ANGELES- In Florida's evolving medical cannabis landscape, smaller operators are making significant inroads, challenging the dominance of established multi-state operators (MSOs). Despite the state's stringent vertical integration requirements—which mandate that Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) oversee cultivation, processing, and dispensing—these emerging players are finding ways to thrive. As of January 2025, Florida's medical cannabis ...
Hawaii Lawmakers Renew Push to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis with Constitutional Amendment Proposal
LOS ANGELES- Hawaii lawmakers introduced House Bill 519, proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational cannabis for adults aged 21 and over. The bill seeks to amend Article IX of the Hawaii State Constitution, allowing individuals to possess and use cannabis, while granting the legislature authority to regulate its possession, distribution, use, and taxation. This ...
Tacoma City Council Decriminalizes Natural Psychedelics
LOS ANGELES- the Tacoma City Council in Washington State unanimously approved a resolution to decriminalize natural psychedelics, including substances containing tryptamines, phenethylamines, and indolamines. This legislative action designates the enforcement of laws against these entheogenic substances as among the city's lowest law enforcement priorities. The resolution also advocates for decriminalization at both the state and ...
Rhode Island Proposes Psilocybin Legalization and State-Regulated Therapy Program Pending Federal Rescheduling
LOS ANGELES- In January 2025, Rhode Island lawmakers introduced House Bill 5186, aiming to legalize psilocybin possession and cultivation for personal use. The bill proposes that individuals be allowed to cultivate psilocybin within their residences for personal use. Additionally, contingent upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rescheduling psilocybin and expanding its access program, ...
Cannabis Legalization Measures Face Challenges in 2024 Elections
LOS ANGELES- In the 2024 elections, marijuana legalization measures faced significant challenges across multiple states. Notably, only Nebraska succeeded in relaxing restrictions by approving two ballot measures that legalized medical cannabis and established a regulatory framework for its use. Conversely, voters in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota rejected proposals to legalize recreational marijuana. In ...
PharmaCann Defaults on Innovative Industrial Properties Leases
LOS ANGELES- On December 19, 2024, PharmaCann Inc., a privately held and vertically integrated cannabis company, defaulted on its December rent obligations for six of the eleven properties leased from Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (IIP). These properties are located in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, with the unpaid rent totaling $4.2 million. ...
Awakn Life Sciences Secures $535,000 Credit Facility to Advance Addiction Treatment Programs
LOS ANGELES - Awakn Life Sciences Corp. a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on treatments for substance use and mental health disorders, has secured an unsecured credit facility of up to US$535,000 from an arm's length creditor. This facility allows the company to draw funds in multiple advances, with the principal due on December 5, 2026, ...
Massachusetts Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Reach Record $1.64 Billion in 2024
LOS ANGELES- In 2024, Massachusetts' adult-use cannabis industry achieved a record $1.64 billion in gross sales, marking a significant milestone since the state's first recreational dispensaries opened in November 2018. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) reported that this surge in sales contributed substantially to state and local tax revenues. Notably, the industry experienced its ...
Nebraska Medical Cannabis Bills Propose Vertical Integration with License Caps
LOS ANGELES- Nebraska lawmakers have introduced legislative proposals to implement the state's recently approved medical cannabis laws. The proposed regulations include provisions for vertical integration and impose caps on the number of licenses issued. Under the proposed framework, the state would permit a limited number of vertically integrated medical cannabis businesses, with a cap of ...
European Citizens Launch Initiative to Promote Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
LOS ANGELES- A coalition of healthcare professionals, academics, and advocates has initiated the PsychedeliCare European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), aiming to enhance access to psychedelic-assisted therapies across the European Union. The campaign seeks to collect one million signatures from at least seven EU member states by January 2026, compelling the European Commission to consider legislative action. ...
New York’s Cannabis Tax Revenue Surges Amid Market Expansion
LOS ANGELES- New York State is experiencing a significant increase in tax revenue from legal cannabis sales. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, the state anticipates collecting $161.8 million, a fourfold increase from the previous year. Projections for the following fiscal year estimate revenues of $248 million, with expectations to reach $374 million ...
Week In Review: Ascend Wellness Secures $15 Million in Private Placement to Bolster Growth Initiatives; Virginia Senate Committee Advances Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis Sales; Leafly Holdings Delisted from Nasdaq Amid Financial Challenges
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) Ascend Wellness Secures $15 Million in Private Placement to Bolster Growth ...
Regulatory Challenges for Hemp Beverages in the USA
LOS ANGELES - The hemp beverage industry in the United States is growing rapidly, driven by consumer demand for wellness-focused and sustainable alternatives to traditional drinks. According to Fortune Business Insights, the U.S. cannabis beverage market is projected to reach $81.44 billion by 2032, supported by the legalization of cannabis products in several states. Despite ...
The Rise of Cannabis Beverages: Trends and Market Insights for 2025
LOS ANGELES - Cannabis beverages are gaining traction in the health and wellness industry as a new way to deliver cannabinoid benefits. As 2025 approaches, this market is projected to grow significantly, evolving consumer preferences and advancements in formulation technologies, coupled with global cannabis legalization. This analysis delves into the key factors fueling the rise ...
Poland’s Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Decline Amid Regulatory Changes
LOS ANGELES- Recent regulatory changes in Poland have led to a significant decrease in medical cannabis prescriptions. In August 2023, the Ministry of Health implemented a regulation requiring physicians to verify a patient's medication history and conduct examinations, either in-person or online, if more than three months have passed since the last assessment. This move ...
High Tide Acquires Majority Stake in Germany’s Purecan GmbH
LOS ANGELES- Canadian cannabis retailer High Tide Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire a 51% stake in German pharmaceutical wholesaler Purecan GmbH for approximately €4.8 million. The transaction comprises €2.4 million in High Tide common shares, €1.2 million in cash, and a €1.2 million promissory note with a two-year maturity and an annual ...
MindMed Advances Clinical Programs and Secures Significant Funding
LOS ANGELES- Mind Medicine has released its 2025 Corporate Presentation, detailing strategic initiatives and significant financial developments. The company has secured a substantial $250 million equity investment, bolstering its cash reserves to approximately $295.3 million as of September 30, 2024. This funding is expected to support operations into 2027, facilitating the advancement of MindMed's clinical ...
Leafly Holdings Delisted from Nasdaq Amid Financial Challenges
LOS ANGELES- Leafly Holdings, Inc, a online cannabis discovery platform, was delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market on January 17, 2025, after failing to meet the exchange's minimum net income requirement of $500,000 from continuing operations. Consequently, the company's common stock and warrants have transitioned to the OTC Pink Open Market, trading under the symbols ...
Pallas Capital Advisors LLC Increases Investment in Tilray Inc.
LOS ANGELES- Pallas Capital Advisors LLC has significantly increased its investment in Tilray Inc, a company in the cannabis industry. According to the firm's latest 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Pallas Capital Advisors raised its holdings by 59.4% during the fourth quarter, acquiring an additional 18,792 shares. This brings their total to ...
Ascend Wellness Secures $15 Million in Private Placement to Bolster Growth Initiatives
LOS ANGELES- Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator, has successfully completed a $15 million private placement of its 12.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2029. These notes were issued at 97% of their face value and will mature on July 16, 2029. This transaction is an extension of the company's earlier $235 ...
President Trump’s Role in Cannabis Rescheduling and Federal Reform
LOS ANGELES- President Donald Trump is poised to significantly influence the trajectory of federal cannabis policy, particularly concerning the rescheduling of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The rescheduling process, initiated under the previous administration, is currently paused, awaiting the appointment of a new head for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) by President ...
