News
Did You Know… Cannabis Was Once a Legal Cross-Border Import?
LOS ANGELES- A hundred years ago, the U.S. government held a different view on cannabis, or Cannabis sativa L. Known then as “marihuana,” it was also called hemp, Mary Jane, and Mary Warner, among other names. Most Americans were unaware of its existence, let alone its potential as a drug. By the 1930s, several states and ...
Trulieve Throws the Kitchen Sink at Adult-Use Cannabis in Florida
MIAMI — (HCN) As Florida’s November 5th election approaches, Trulieve, a dominant force in the state’s medical cannabis market, is making an unprecedented push to legalize adult-use cannabis. With a jaw-dropping $141 million contribution to the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, Trulieve has funded nearly the entire campaign for Amendment 3—a proposed constitutional amendment ...
A LIFE IN A DAY: Guy Rocourt: CEO of GR Consulting and Papa & Barkley
In this edition of A LIFE IN A DAY, we catch up with Guy Rocourt, a pioneering force in the cannabis industry with more than 25 years of experience. Guy Rocourt is the Co-Founder and former Chief Product Officer of Papa & Barkley, where he revolutionized cannabis wellness products and championed clean manufacturing practices. ...
Industrial Hemp Market Poised for Growth, Projected to Reach $25 Billion by 2032
LOS ANGELES-The industrial hemp market is projected to grow substantially, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.29% through 2032, reaching an estimated value of $25.33 billion. This growth is primarily driven by favorable shifts in regulatory policies that have supported hemp cultivation, a rising awareness of hemp's environmental benefits, and its expanding ...
Massachusetts Ballot to Decide on Psychedelics Legalization in November
LOS ANGELES- Massachusetts voters are set to decide on a significant measure this November with Question 4, a ballot initiative to legalize certain plant-based psychedelics, including psilocybin, mescaline, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT). If approved, Massachusetts would follow Oregon and Colorado in creating a regulated framework for adult psychedelic use, focusing on mental health applications. Proponents argue ...
European Cannabis Update: Embracing the Growing Dutch Medical Cannabis Market
EUROPE — As a pioneer in the recognition and regulation of the medical use of cannabis, the Netherlands has emerged as a prominent hub for cannabis investment, driven by a combination of progressive policies, established infrastructure, and growing consumer demand for cannabis in both medical and recreational contexts. Current Situation Since the establishment of the ...
Shared Liability in Cannabis: A Smarter Approach to Managing Employee Compliance with Paylient
LOS ANGELES — As the cannabis industry continues to grow, so do the challenges that come with managing employees within a highly regulated environment. From payroll and benefits to labor compliance and HR management, cannabis business owners face a web of responsibilities that, if mismanaged, can lead to significant legal and financial consequences. Enter Paylient, ...
The Rise of the Clean Label Movement in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES — Consumer preferences in the cannabis market are evolving toward healthier and more transparent products. By 2024, the global cannabis market is projected to reach $57 billion, driven largely by the increasing legalization and normalization of cannabis use across North America, Europe, and other regions. However, this rapid growth has also led to ...
U.S. States Prepare for Key Cannabis Ballot Measures in November
LOS ANGELES- Voters in several U.S. states will soon weigh in on significant cannabis-related ballot initiatives, potentially leading to broader legalization nationwide. On November 5, 2024, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oregon will vote on measures addressing either recreational or medical cannabis, adding momentum to the movement for reform across state legislatures. ...
Criticism Mounts Over New York’s Social Equity Cannabis Fund for High Costs and Limited Impact
LOS ANGELES- New York’s Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, a public-private initiative launched to support individuals disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition, has faced growing criticism over its high operating costs and limited results. Since its establishment in 2022, the fund has managed to open only 21 dispensaries, despite an initial target of 150 locations. This ...
Week’s In Review: Alabama Judge Appoints Mediator in Medical Cannabis Licensing Dispute; Ascend Wellness Shares Climb 5.3% Amid Low Trading Volume; Unlicensed New York Cannabis Retailer Hit with $9.5 Million Judgment
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 Alabama Judge Appoints Mediator in Medical Cannabis Licensing Dispute: A judge in Alabama ...
France: The Investment Landscape of the Medical Cannabis Sector
PARIS — Encouraged by the advances of Germany, the investment climate in France's medical cannabis industry is evolving on a promising trajectory, marked by a transition from a history of strict prohibition and stigma to a transparent, albeit stringent, regulatory framework aimed at promoting therapeutic use. As the country gears up for the legalization of ...
Delaware Awards First Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing Licenses in Initial Lottery
LOS ANGELES- Delaware has initiated its adult-use cannabis licensing process, awarding the first cultivation and manufacturing permits through a lottery held on October 24, 2024. This inaugural lottery, organized by the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC), drew from over 1,260 applications to randomly allocate licenses across cultivation, manufacturing, and social equity categories for the ...
Cybin Secures Patent for CYB005 Program in Push for New CNS Disorder Treatments
LOS ANGELES- Cybin Inc., a neuropsychiatric biopharmaceutical company, announced that it has secured a U.S. patent (No. 12,122,741) covering the composition of matter for key molecules in its CYB005 program. This patent represents a strategic step for Cybin in developing non-hallucinogenic treatment options targeting central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The company’s CYB005 compounds, derived from ...
Unlicensed New York Cannabis Retailer Hit with $9.5 Million Judgment
LOS ANGELES- A New York Supreme Court judgment has ordered George West, owner of Jaydega 7.0 in Canandaigua, to pay $9.5 million after findings that his business sold cannabis products without the required state license. This penalty includes $1 million in profit disgorgement and $8.4 million in daily fines imposed due to ongoing sales following ...
Cannabis Opportunities in Germany: Positive Outlook for Investment and Innovation
BERLIN — The investment climate in Germany's cannabis market is poised for significant expansion, driven by the global cannabis legalization movement, ongoing regulatory changes, and mounting community and market demand. As the country embraces a more liberal approach to both medical and recreational cannabis, it is becoming an increasingly appealing destination for investors and businesses ...
Cannabis Vape Crisis Raises Key Questions About Cannabis Product Safety
LOS ANGELES — The vape contaminant crisis has significantly impacted the cannabis industry, raising crucial questions about product safety and consumer awareness. Amid this complex landscape, several industry leaders are working to address these issues through clean label practices. One such leader is Guy Rocourt, who believes that pills are the cleanest medium to consume ...
EU Investigates Italy’s Proposed Ban on CBD and Hemp Flowers
LOS ANGELES- The European Commission has launched an investigation into the Italian government’s proposed ban on CBD and hemp flowers, following concerns that the move may violate EU regulations. Italy's far-right government, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has adopted a two-pronged approach aimed at curbing the legal market for hemp flowers, which are primarily used ...
South Dakota Cannabis Legalization Measure Faces Tight Race Ahead of 2024 Election
LOS ANGELES- Cannabis legalization advocates in South Dakota are facing an uphill battle ahead of the 2024 election. According to a recent Emerson College Poll, conducted in partnership with KELO-TV and *The Hill*, 50% of likely voters are opposed to *Initiated Measure 29*, the proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis, while 45% are in support, and ...
Alabama Judge Appoints Mediator in Medical Cannabis Licensing Dispute
LOS ANGELES- A judge in Alabama has appointed a mediator to help resolve the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the state's medical cannabis licensing process. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson selected retired Judge Eugene Reese to mediate between the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) and several companies that have challenged the commission’s decisions. These companies argue ...
Exploring the Framework: Investing in the Polish Medical Cannabis Market
EUROPE — While global attitudes toward cannabis shift from skepticism to acceptance, Poland, as a member of the European family, stands as a beacon of centuried cultivation, traditions, resilience, innovation, and economic growth. With its strategic location, robust economy, and forward-thinking regulatory approach, the country is cultivating more than just cannabis – it is creating ...
Discovering Investment Opportunities in Italy’s Cannabis Market
EUROPE — The medical cannabis industry in Italy is undergoing a transition period, showing a significant transformation and investment potential, driven by an evolving regulatory framework and growing public acceptance. Since the legalization of medical cannabis in 2013, Italy has positioned itself as a key player in the European cannabis landscape, attracting both domestic and ...
Ascend Wellness Shares Climb 5.3% Amid Low Trading Volume
LOS ANGELES- Shares of Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. rose by 5.3% on Friday, reaching an intraday high of $0.82 before closing at $0.80. This upward movement came despite a notable decrease in trading volume, with only 57,558 shares changing hands, a significant 73% drop from the average daily volume of 209,931 shares. The stock had ...
Older Adults Increasingly Turn to Cannabis for Pain and Sleep Relief
LOS ANGELES- A growing number of older adults in the U.S. are turning to cannabis for managing sleep disturbances and chronic pain relief, especially as cannabis gains legal and social acceptance. Recent studies suggest that 21% of people aged 50 and older have used cannabis in the past year, with primary reasons including pain management, improved ...
Psyence Biomed Progresses in Psilocybin Development for Alcohol Use Disorder
LOS ANGELES- Psyence Biomed, a biopharmaceutical company focused on psychedelic therapeutics, has provided an update on its development of high-purity psilocybin in collaboration with PsyLabs. The company is working towards producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) certified under the European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This certification is critical for advancing psilocybin as a treatment for ...
