News
Filament Health Reports Revenue Gains and Progress in Psychedelic Drug Development
LOS ANGELES- Filament Health Corp., a psychedelic drug developer, has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ending December 31, 2023. The company showed notable revenue gains and a significant reduction in net loss compared to the previous year. For the full year, Filament reported total revenues of $2.1 million, ...
California Proposes Supervised Psychedelic Therapy Bill
LOS ANGELES- In an innovative legislative move, California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that aims to permit individuals over the age of 21 to consume psychedelic mushrooms under professional supervision. This proposal seeks to address the state's pressing mental health and substance use issues. The introduction of this bill follows Governor Gavin Newsom's veto ...
Health Canada Reclassifies Organigram’s Cannabis Lozenges as Edibles
NEW YORK- In a recent development that has stirred the Canadian cannabis industry, Health Canada has announced a pivotal decision affecting Organigram Holdings. The federal agency has reclassified the company's Edison Jolts lozenge products from extracts to edibles. This decision has brought about considerable disappointment for Organigram, as extracts are generally seen as more profitable ...
Chicago Atlantic Invests $20 Million in Nova Farms Expansion
LOS ANGELES- Chicago Atlantic, a significant player in financial investment, has finalized a $20 million senior secured financing deal with Nova Farms, an established cannabis operator. This strategic investment is aimed at bolstering Nova Farms' presence within the competitive cannabis market across Massachusetts, Maine, and New Jersey. With operations spanning a cultivation farm, seven retail ...
Ohio Moves Forward with Adult-Use Cannabis Marketplace Regulations
LOS ANGELES- Ohio is on the verge of activating its adult-use cannabis marketplace following the state regulators' recent publication of the latest draft rules for the industry. This comprehensive framework, announced last week, introduces detailed regulations focusing on retail operations, including novel provisions for online sales, curbside pickup, and stringent waste disposal requirements. The newly ...
California Enhances Cannabis Equity with $12 Million Grant
NEW YORK- In a landmark move, California has allocated $12 million in grants to ten cities and counties, including Oakland and San Jose, as part of its commitment to fostering equity in the cannabis industry. This funding is aimed at supporting programs that assist communities historically impacted by the War on Drugs, ensuring fair participation ...
New Jersey Navigates Legal Waters on Off-Duty Cannabis Use by Police
LOS ANGELES- In a groundbreaking legal case in New Jersey, the debate over off-duty cannabis use by law enforcement officers brings to light the complex interplay between state legalization and federal restrictions. Jersey City has become the focal point of this legal struggle, potentially setting a precedent that could influence the relationship between state policies ...
New York Supreme Court Overturns Cannabis Marketing Restrictions
LOS ANGELES- In a significant legal development for New York's cannabis industry, the Supreme Court in Albany County invalidated several marketing restrictions on Monday, marking a pivotal moment for licensed cannabis businesses in the state. The challenged regulations had imposed stringent limits on the ability of cannabis retailers to advertise and promote their products, significantly ...
New Mexico Sets Record in Cannabis Sales for March
LOS ANGELES- In a significant development within the cannabis industry, New Mexico reported a record-breaking total of over $52 million in combined recreational and medical cannabis sales for March. This figure surpasses previous records, marking a milestone for the state's cannabis market. The New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department (NMRLD) disclosed that licensed retailers recorded ...
Week In Review: Vangst Acquire CannabizTeam; Washington D.C. Enhances Medical Cannabis Regs; Petalfast Acquires Flow Distribution; Canadian Cannabis Sales Dip; DEA Plan Hearing on Psychedelics
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, not so well. Let's get to it! Cannabis Industry Highlights #1.Washington D.C. Enhances Medical Cannabis Regulations and Extends Tax Holiday: In a significant legislative move, the Council of the ...
Petalfast Acquires Flow Distribution to Enhance National Cannabis Sales and Distribution Network
LOS ANGELES- Petalfast, a national sales and distribution platform in the cannabis industry, has finalized the acquisition of Flow Distribution's sales and distribution subsidiary, marking a significant expansion of its operations and brand portfolio in the United States. Flow Distribution, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is known for its cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution of cannabis products, ...
ANALYSIS: Ukraine’s Medical Cannabis Legalization: A Journey of Hope and Resilience
KYIV--In the heart of Ukraine, amidst the bustling streets of its vibrant cities and the tranquil beauty of its countryside, a new era is dawning—one marked by the legalization of medical cannabis. Having immersed myself in the fabric of Ukrainian life, I've witnessed firsthand the multifaceted impact of this legislative milestone on Ukraine's collective consciousness. ...
Hawaii’s Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Stalls
LOS ANGELES- In a recent development within Hawaii's legislative process, a pivotal House committee announced it will not advance a bill proposing the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis, effectively halting the legislation for 2024. Despite passing the Senate with a 19-6 vote and narrowly securing approval in a lower House chamber, the bill faced ...
Washington D.C. Enhances Medical Cannabis Regulations and Extends Tax Holiday
LOS ANGELES- In a significant legislative move, the Council of the District of Columbia has unanimously passed the "Medical Cannabis Patient Card Extension 4/20 Medical Cannabis Sales Tax Holiday Week Emergency Amendment Act of 2024." This act amends Title 7 of the DC Official Code to implement three critical changes aimed at improving the medical ...
DEA to Conduct Hearing on Psychedelic Substances Proposal
LOS ANGELES- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced plans to hold a hearing regarding the proposed classification of two psychedelic substances, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC), as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. This move comes in response to significant opposition from the scientific and research community, who argue that such a ...
Canadian Cannabis Sales Experience a Dip in January
NEW YORK- In January 2024, Canada witnessed a notable 11.5% drop in retail sales of legal adult-use cannabis compared to December 2023, as reported by Statistics Canada. Despite a revision that increased the total recreational cannabis sales for the year 2023 to CA$5.08 billion, this downturn has sparked concerns about potential challenges facing the industry. ...
Alabama Seeks to Expand Medical Cannabis Licensing
LOS ANGELES- In an effort to resolve ongoing legal disputes surrounding its medical cannabis licensing process, Alabama has introduced a bill proposing an increase in the number of available licenses. Filed on Tuesday, the legislation aims to broaden the scope of medical cannabis dispensary, processor, and integrated facility licenses. This move is seen as an ...
Oregon Reinstates Criminal Penalties for Drug Possession
LOS ANGELES- In a landmark reversal, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has endorsed House Bill 4002, reintroducing criminal penalties for possession of controlled substances such as fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. This action marks a departure from the state's previously decriminalized stance on drug possession under Measure 110, a voter-approved initiative from 2020. The new law, set ...
Alberta Leads in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Coverage
NEW YORK- Alberta Blue Cross's recent endorsement of insurance coverage for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy signifies a pioneering move in Canadian healthcare, positioning Alberta as the first province to officially support and regulate such treatments. This development reflects a broader shift in the perception of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and DMT, for their therapeutic potential ...
Georgia Implements New Age Restrictions and Regulations on Hemp-Derived Products
NEW YORK- In a recent legislative development, Georgia is poised to enforce a new law restricting the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including CBD and intoxicating substances like delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC, to individuals under the age of 21. This initiative is part of a broader regulatory effort encapsulated in Senate Bill 494, also ...
Awakn Life Sciences Expands into U.S. with Oklahoma Licensing Agreement
LOS ANGELES- Awakn Life Sciences Corp., a biotechnology company specializing in the development of medication-assisted treatments for addiction, particularly focusing on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), announced a significant expansion of its operations into the United States through a new Licensing Partnership agreement. This agreement with Rivus Wellness and Research Institute, based in Oklahoma City, marks ...
Ontario Anticipates Record Cannabis Revenue
LOS ANGELES- In a landmark financial forecast, Ontario expects to garner over CA$379 million from its share of the federal cannabis duty for the fiscal year April 2024 to March 2025, marking a significant 22.2% increase from the previous fiscal period. This projection surpasses the combined revenue anticipated from taxes on beer, wine, and spirits, ...
University of Calgary Studies Psychedelic Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
LOS ANGELES- The University of Calgary, through its Hotchkiss Brain Institute, has embarked on a study to examine the potential of psychedelics, specifically psilocybin, in treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). With plans to recruit 128 participants, this research integrates specialized therapy sessions with psychedelic treatments to evaluate whether this novel approach can outperform conventional treatment ...
Delaware Expands Medical Cannabis Program Access
NEW YORK- Delaware lawmakers have passed a significant bill aimed at broadening access to the state's medical cannabis program. On Thursday, the Delaware Senate approved a proposal that grants healthcare providers the discretion to certify patients for medical cannabis use. Additionally, the bill introduces a groundbreaking provision allowing individuals aged 65 and older to self-certify ...
Imperial Brands Acquires Stake in Auxly Cannabis Group
LOS ANGELES- Imperial Brands has effectively become the largest shareholder of Auxly Cannabis Group, acquiring a 19.8% stake after converting over 123.4 million Canadian dollars ($90.6 million) in total debt into shares. This move was announced by Toronto-based Auxly Cannabis Group on Monday, highlighting the conversion of CA$123.4 million of principal and accrued interest from ...
