News
Thailand Reverses Course on Recreational Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- Thailand's Public Health Ministry, under Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, has issued a directive banning recreational cannabis sales and reclassifying cannabis buds as a controlled herb in a major policy reversal after three years of decriminalization. Effective upon publication in the Royal Gazette, the directive mandates that all cannabis purchases require a doctor's prescription, limits ...
Verano Debuts Bodega‑Style Dispensary in Arizona
LOS ANGELES- Verano Holdings Corp. a multi‑state cannabis operator, has introduced a “bodega‑style” shopping format at its Zen Leaf Cave Creek dispensary in Phoenix. This innovative layout allows adult‑use consumers to browse and select products directly from open shelves—a departure from the traditional model where items remain behind locked counters until purchase. The re‑opening, scheduled for ...
Aurora Cannabis Refutes AI-Generated Deal Reports on Investing.com
LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc. has officially dismissed two recent articles published on Investing.com that falsely claimed the company entered into a $215 million acquisition of New Zealand’s MedLeaf Therapeutics and a strategic partnership with Germany-based MediPharm GmbH for cannabis distribution in Europe. According to a company-issued press release, both stories were created with “the support ...
Colorado Governor Jared Polis Issues Pardons for Psilocybin and Psilocin Convictions
LOS ANGELES-- the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver, Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order granting full, unconditional pardons to individuals convicted under state law for possession of psilocybin and psilocin—substances that became legal for adults aged 21 and over following Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act vote in 2022 and enabling legislation SB 25‑297 passed earlier ...
Compass Pathways’ Psilocybin-Based Therapy Reaches Key Milestone in Depression Trial
LOS ANGELES- Compass Pathways has announced that its lead candidate, COMP360, achieved the primary endpoint in a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating its efficacy in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In the COMP005 study, involving 258 participants across 32 U.S. sites, a single 25 mg dose of COMP360 demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared ...
Analysis: What’s Next for Texas THC Policy After Gov. Abbott’s Veto?
DALLAS - In a move that stunned the Texas political establishment and delighted the state’s burgeoning hemp industry, Governor Greg Abbott last weekend vetoed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), a measure that would have banned virtually all hemp-derived THC products—including popular variants like Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10. The veto not only exposed a rare public ...
Maryland Governor Expands Cannabis Pardons
LOS ANGELES- Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced an additional round of approximately 6,938 pardons for individuals previously convicted of simple cannabis possession, following a 2024 executive order that granted clemency to over 175,000 convictions for similar offenses. Signed during a Juneteenth event at Bethel AME Church in Cambridge, the new pardons correct technical omissions ...
Verano Taps Arizona Partner to Introduce Grow Sciences’ Cannabis Line in Illinois
LOS ANGELES- Verano Holdings Corp. a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator, entered into an exclusive distribution partnership with Arizona-based Grow Sciences to launch a curated selection of premium cannabis flower and solventless extracts in Illinois. Starting June 21, thirteen Grow Sciences strains—including Prickly Pear, Florida Jack, and Jelly RTZ—will be available at all ten Zen Leaf dispensaries across the state, with ...
Court Reverses Health Canada’s Ban on Psilocybin Training for Clinicians
LOS ANGELES- A recent decision by the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that Health Canada’s 2022 refusal to grant exemptions allowing health-care professionals to participate in experiential psilocybin training was unreasonable. The court determined that the agency reversed its stance without offering a valid rationale, ordering the matter to be reconsidered by Minister Marjorie Mitchell. ...
Minnesota Enacts Law Enhancing Employment Protections for Medical Cannabis Patients
LOS ANGELES— A new Minnesota law, Senate File 2370 (SF 2370), which took effect on May 24, 2025, introduces expanded employment protections for registered medical cannabis patients. Under the law, employers must now provide a 14-day written notice before taking any adverse employment action—such as termination or discipline—against a medical cannabis patient who tests positive ...
Legal Cannabis Shows Economic Gains and Stable Teen Use Trends
LOS ANGELES— A recent analysis from the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) indicates that legal adult‑use cannabis sales have generated approximately $24.7 billion in state tax revenue since legalization began in 2014, with $4.4 billion collected in 2024 alone . At the same time, data from multiple sources show that teen cannabis use has declined in most states ...
High-Potency Cannabis Strains Impact Legal and Health Systems
LOS ANGELES— The expansion of high-potency cannabis products—such as concentrated extracts, edibles, and potent vaping liquids is increasingly challenging health-care facilities and legal systems across North America. Emergency departments in the U.S. and Canada report rising visits due to high-THC cannabis use. Symptoms include acute psychosis, severe anxiety, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) a debilitating ...
New Zealand Approves Psilocybin for Medicinal Use
LOS ANGELES— New Zealand’s government has authorized the prescription of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in so‑called “magic mushrooms,” for patients with treatment‑resistant depression. This marks the first time psilocybin has been approved for medical use outside of clinical trials in the country . Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced new regulations that allow a single ...
Psyence Group Inc. Announces C$600,000 Private Share Offering
LOS ANGELES— Psyence Group Inc. a biotechnology firm focused on nature-derived psilocybin for mental health and palliative care, has announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$600,000. The offering, detailed in a news release dated June 18, 2025, provides for up to 6 million common shares at C$0.10 each, with no finder’s fees ...
Texas Governor Expands Medical Cannabis Program, Vetoes THC Ban
LOS ANGELES— Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 46 into law, significantly expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis program, while vetoing Senate Bill 3, which aimed to ban hemp‑derived THC products—including delta‑8 gummies, vapes and edibles. Under the new legislation, known as HB 46, the Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) will broaden eligibility by adding ...
Week In Review: Aurora Cannabis Denies Acquisition of MedLeaf Therapeutics; Canadian Cannabis Producers Expand Exports; Method Man and Zamnesia Partner to Launch Eight TICAL Cannabis Seeds in U.S. and Europe
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#)Aurora Cannabis Denies Acquisition of MedLeaf Therapeutics: Aurora Cannabis Inc. publicly refuted ...
Method Man and Zamnesia Partner to Launch Eight TICAL Cannabis Seeds in U.S. and Europe
LOS ANGELES- Zamnesia—a European online retailer specializing in cannabis seeds—has partnered with Method Man’s cannabis brand, TICAL, to launch eight exclusive premium seeds across the U.S. and Europe. The collaboration, announced in early June 2025, targets both seasoned home growers and collectors. The seed collection, personally curated and approved by the hip‑hop artist, includes strains ...
Aurora Cannabis Denies Acquisition of MedLeaf Therapeutics
LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc. publicly refuted recent reports claiming it was acquiring New Zealand–based MedLeaf Therapeutics. In a statement issued on June 18, 2025, the Edmonton-headquartered company confirmed it “has not entered into any such agreement, has had no discussions with MedLeaf Therapeutics with respect to any business combination transaction, and has not made ...
MJ and MSOS ETFs Signal High Upside on U.S. Legalization Outlook
LOS ANGELES- Investment in cannabis-focused ETFs such as Amplify’s MJ and AdvisorShares’ MSOS reflects growing investor anticipation of federal legalization-driven expansion, even amid pronounced volatility and structural headwinds. Analysts argue that rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, expected following the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommendation, would ease tax burdens under IRS Section 280E ...
Legislative Wave Follows Growth of Hemp-Infused Beverage Market
LOS ANGELES- The market for hemp-derived cannabis beverages has expanded rapidly since the 2018 federal legalization of hemp, reaching an estimated value of over $1 billion today and projected to exceed $30 billion by 2035. These ready-to-drink products—including seltzers, tonics, and teas infused with cannabinoids such as delta-8 and delta-9 THC—are sold outside traditional dispensaries, ...
Canadian Cannabis Producers Expand Exports
LOS ANGELES- Canada’s licensed cannabis sector continues its move toward international markets, driven by strong global demand, especially for medical cannabis. During the 2023–24 fiscal year, Canada exported approximately CA$218 million of medical cannabis for commercial and scientific use, marking a significant waypoint in the industry's evolution. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 16 metric ...
Big Cannabis Companies Maintain Optimism in Florida Despite Adult‑Use Setback
LOS ANGELES- Major cannabis operators remain confident in the Florida medical market, viewing it as a strategic long‑term growth opportunity despite the failed November 2024 attempt to legalize adult‑use cannabis. In a recent analysis, Forbes notes that leading companies continue to invest in the state given its large population and substantial medical patient base Florida’s ...
AYR Wellness Updates Delay of Q1 2025 Interim Filings
LOS ANGELES- AYR Wellness Inc. announced that it did not complete the filing of its interim financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, and related CEO and CFO certificates for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, by the anticipated June 13, 2025 deadline. The delay stems from ongoing negotiations with creditors and the assessment of ...
NewLake Capital Partners Declares $0.43 Second Quarter 2025 Dividend
LOS ANGELES- NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. announced on June 16, 2025, that its Board of Directors has approved a cash dividend of $0.43 per share of common stock for the second quarter of 2025. The declaration underscores the internally-managed REIT’s commitment to delivering consistent returns to its shareholders. The dividend represents an annualized payout of ...
Israel’s Health Ministry Approves Expansion of Apex Labs’ Phase 2b Psilocybin Trial for PTSD
LOS ANGELES- Apex Labs Ltd. has secured approval from Israel’s Ministry of Health (MoH) and relevant ethics boards to expand its ongoing Phase 2b SUMMIT‑90 clinical trial assessing macrodose psilocybin therapy (APEX‑90) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The company will add two new sites: Tel Aviv University’s Institute for Psychedelic Research at the Sagol Brain Institute ...
