News
Nixon’s Secret Recordings: A Shift in Private Views on Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- Recently uncovered White House recordings from 1973 reveal that President Richard Nixon privately acknowledged that cannabis was "not particularly dangerous," a stance at odds with his administration's aggressive drug policies. The recordings, discovered by drug reform advocate Kurtis Hanna while reviewing the Nixon Library archives, show a more nuanced perspective on cannabis than ...
Week’s In Review: Green Thumb Secures $150 Million Syndicated Credit Facility; FDA Consideration of Psilocybin Therapy Could Impact Millions of Depression Patients; Cannabis Sector Volatility Deepens After DEA Rescheduling Delay
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#Green Thumb Secures $150 Million Syndicated Credit Facility: Green Thumb Industries Inc, a national ...
Urbana Breathes New Life into Historic Luka’s Taproom with a New Cannabis Dispensary and Lounge in Oakland
Honoring a Beloved Oakland Landmark, Urbana Introduces a New Paradigm in Cannabis Retail and Consumption OAKLAND, CA – Urbana, one of Northern California’s premier cannabis brands, is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest dispensary and consumption lounge in the heart of Oakland. Located in the historic Luka’s Taproom, Urbana’s newest site pays tribute ...
Dispensary vs. Experience: Retail Models Disrupting the Cannabis Consumer Journey
LOS ANGELES — Cannabis retail is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond traditional dispensary models to offer more immersive and meaningful customer experiences, represented in the rising introduction of consumption lounges. Companies like NorCal's Urbana are at the forefront of this shift, demonstrating how to deeply connect with a diverse consumer base. Insights from Urbana's ...
FDA Consideration of Psilocybin Therapy Could Impact Millions of Depression Patients
LOS ANGELES- Recent research suggests that the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, psilocybin, may offer significant benefits for individuals struggling with depression, pending approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With roughly one in 10 American adults experiencing depressive illness annually, the potential for psilocybin therapy to alleviate symptoms has garnered increasing attention. ...
California Governor Proposes Emergency Ban on THC in Hemp Products
LOS ANGELES- California Governor Gavin Newsom announced emergency regulations on Friday that would prohibit the sale of hemp products containing detectable levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. The move aims to address concerns over the availability of intoxicating hemp products, especially those accessible to minors. Hemp products are currently sold outside of regulated ...
Medical Cannabis in Germany: A Gateway for Investment and Innovation
The investment climate in Germany's medical cannabis industry 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 cannabis, it is becoming an increasingly appealing destination for investors and businesses in the medical cannabis sector. ...
MindMed to Present at Key September Investor Conferences
LOS ANGELES- Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for brain health disorders, announced its participation in three significant investor conferences in September 2024. MindMed’s management team will engage in discussions on the evolving role of psychedelics in psychiatry and brain health treatments. The company’s schedule includes: A panel ...
Green Thumb Secures $150 Million Syndicated Credit Facility
LOS ANGELES- Green Thumb Industries Inc, a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, has announced the closing of a $150 million 5-year syndicated credit facility. The financing, led by Valley National Bank, marks a significant development in the U.S. cannabis industry, as it is the first such arrangement for the ...
Luxury Cannabis Market Expands with High-End Dispensaries
LOS ANGELES- The cannabis industry is shifting its focus towards luxury consumers, with a growing number of high-end dispensaries opening in upscale areas like Fifth Avenue in New York City and the Hamptons. This new approach caters to affluent shoppers seeking premium cannabis products alongside luxury brands such as Cartier and Saks Fifth Avenue. One ...
Cannabis Sector Volatility Deepens After DEA Rescheduling Delay
LOS ANGELES- The cannabis industry faced heightened volatility as the MSOS ETF (NYSE: MSOS), which tracks U.S. cannabis companies, dropped by 15.24% following the DEA’s decision to delay rescheduling cannabis until December 2. The market response reflects growing uncertainty within the sector, as investors had anticipated regulatory clarity that could unlock further growth opportunities for ...
Wiesbaden Seeks to Join Cannabis Sales Pilot in Pharmacies
GERMANY- Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse, Germany, has officially applied to participate in a pilot project for cannabis sales through pharmacies. The initiative aims to study the impact of a regulated cannabis market on reducing illegal trade and improving public health protections. Milena Löbcke, Wiesbaden’s health advisor, signed the declaration of intent to join the ...
California Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Pesticide Use in Hemp Industry
LOS ANGELES- California regulators have intensified efforts to address illegal pesticide use in the hemp industry, underscored by a recent case involving Northern California hemp grower Bin Zheng. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) found Zheng using banned pesticides, leading to a settlement requiring the destruction of hemp crops across 22 greenhouses. This enforcement ...
A LIFE IN A DAY: Daniela Williams: Chief Growth Officer: Paylient
Here, in A LIFE IN A DAY, a person shares with Highly Capitalized, what life’s like for them outside their busy working week. This week’s A LIFE IN A DAY features Daniela Williams. Daniela is the Chief Growth Officer (CGO) at Paylient, where she spearheads the development and execution of growth strategies, nurturing new ...
Trump Weighs In on Florida Cannabis Legalization Ballot Measure
LOS ANGELES- Former President Donald Trump recently shared his thoughts on Florida's Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over. In a post on Truth Social, Trump signaled tentative support for the initiative, marking his first public stance on cannabis legislation during this election cycle. Amendment 3, backed by ...
Kentucky Receives Nearly 5,000 Applications for Medical Cannabis Business Licenses
LOS ANGELES- Kentucky officials have received 4,998 applications for medical cannabis business licenses as part of the state's newly established medical cannabis program, Gov. Andy Beshear announced. The majority of applications (4,076) were for dispensary permits, though only 48 will be awarded through a lottery in October. The state has collected nearly $28 million in ...
Week’s In Review: Ohio Recreational Cannabis Sales Reach Over $44 Million in First Month; DEA Reclassification of Cannabis Raises Regulatory Questions for States; Michigan Cannabis Prices Reach Historic Lows Amid Market Oversupply
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# Ohio Recreational Cannabis Sales Reach Over $44 Million in First Month: Ohio's legal ...
Missouri Hemp Trade Group Files Lawsuit Over Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products
LOS ANGELES- The Missouri Hemp Trade Association has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) challenging the state's recent ban on intoxicating hemp products. The lawsuit, filed in Cole County Circuit Court, argues that the DHSS lacks the legal authority to enforce the ban, which stems from an executive order ...
Michigan Cannabis Prices Reach Historic Lows Amid Market Oversupply
LOS ANGELES- In July, cannabis prices in Michigan's legal market dropped to an all-time low, with the average price of an ounce of flower falling to $79.70, according to data from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency. This marks a nearly 14.5% price decline in 2024, driven by market oversupply, regulatory pressures, and competition from illicit ...
Ohio Recreational Cannabis Sales Reach Over $44 Million in First Month
LOS ANGELES- Ohio's legal cannabis market saw strong initial performance, with over $67.3 million in total sales between August 6 and August 31, according to the state's Division of Cannabis Control (DCC). Of this, $44 million came from recreational cannabis purchases, while medical marijuana patients accounted for $23.3 million in sales. During this period, Ohio ...
Investment Environment and Outlook for Medical Cannabis in Ukraine
KYIV--The medical cannabis industry in Ukraine is on the cusp of transformation, fueled by recent legislative changes and a growing recognition of its potential benefits. As the country fights for its independence on the battlefields and navigates the complexities of establishing a regulatory framework, it still presents a compelling opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs looking ...
Wisconsin Tribal Groups Launch Campaign to Push for Medical Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- A new campaign to legalize medical cannabis in Wisconsin has been launched by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association and the Wisconsin Tribal Task Force on Cannabis. The initiative, named Wisconsin Wellness, aims to persuade state lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and chronic pain. Wisconsin remains ...
Alabama Judge Considers Easing Restrictions on Medical Cannabis Licensing
LOS ANGELES- A Montgomery County judge signaled Tuesday that he may consider easing some restrictions on the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to allow limited vetting of cannabis license awards, potentially advancing the state’s delayed medical cannabis program. Judge James Anderson indicated that he may amend a temporary restraining order to permit some investigative actions ...
Europe’s Medical Cannabis Market Expected to Reach USD 11 Billion by 2032
LOS ANGELES- The European medical cannabis market is projected to grow significantly, with its value reaching USD 11,093.7 million by 2032, up from USD 2,167.8 million in 2023. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.3% between 2024 and 2032. The expansion of this market is being driven by increasing legalization and the ...
DEA Reclassification of Cannabis Raises Regulatory Questions for States
LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has initiated steps to reclassify cannabis, potentially shifting it to a status similar to regulated medicines such as Tylenol with codeine or some steroids. This federal change could significantly impact the 26 states where cannabis remains illegal, prompting them to decide whether to ban its sale or ...
