News
StateHouse Goes Into Receivership With $100 mm In Debt
LOS ANGELES- Pelorus Fund REIT has filed a request with a California court to place StateHouse Holdings, a vertically integrated cannabis operator, into receivership following the company’s default on four loans. Pelorus, a private mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) and the largest lender to StateHouse, expects the company’s management to support the move. Pelorus ...
Week’s In Review: New York Cannabis Market Report Highlights Progress and Challenges; TerrAscend Secures Additional $26 Million in Loan Draw to Pay Down High-Interest Debt; Harris’s Comments Over Cannabis Reform in the 2024 Presidential Race; FBI Data: Over 200,000 Arrests for Cannabis Possession in 2023
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#New York Cannabis Market Report Highlights Progress and Challenges: New York state officials released ...
Arkansas Supreme Court Orders Continuation of Signature Count for Cannabis Expansion Ballot Initiative
LOS ANGELES- The Arkansas Supreme Court has ordered Secretary of State John Thurston to continue counting approximately 18,000 signatures for a proposed medical cannabis expansion initiative, despite his earlier decision to invalidate them due to a paperwork issue. This decision comes as advocates from Arkansans for Patient Access (APA) challenge the state's rejection of their ...
New York Cannabis Market Report Highlights Progress and Challenges
LOS ANGELES- New York state officials released a comprehensive report this week, reviewing the progress made in the three years since the state's cannabis legalization law was signed by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2021. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) outlined the development of the legal cannabis market, emphasizing ...
How Advanced Nutrients is Unlocking Profit Potential for Cultivators
LOS ANGELES — In the competitive world of cannabis cultivation, plant health has become synonymous with profitability. As the industry matures and consumer expectations rise, the pressure on cultivators to consistently produce high-quality cannabis has never been greater. At the heart of this challenge lies a critical but often overlooked factor: plant stress. Early Nutrient ...
The High Stakes of Cutting Corners in Regulatory Employee Compliance
LOS ANGELES — In the cannabis industry, regulatory compliance is not a mere formality, but it’s a vital safeguard against financial losses, legal challenges, and operational disruptions. An often overlooked yet incredibly high-stakes area of cannabis business operations is regulatory employee compliance management. While compliance is notoriously complex for cannabis businesses, failing to stay in ...
Arizona Court Rules THC Metabolites Alone Cannot Justify License Suspension
LOS ANGELES- The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled that the presence of THC metabolites in a driver’s bloodstream is not sufficient grounds for suspending their driver’s license unless the driver is shown to be impaired. This decision, made in the case of Aaron Kirsten, upholds provisions in the 2020 voter-approved cannabis legalization law, Proposition ...
TerrAscend Secures Additional $26 Million in Loan Draw to Pay Down High-Interest Debt
LOS ANGELES- TerrAscend Corp. a North American cannabis company, has completed a second draw of $26 million as part of its senior secured term loan, bringing the total gross proceeds to $140 million. The loan, managed by FocusGrowth Asset Management, LP, and other syndicate members, was originally announced in August 2024. This recent capital will ...
Georgia’s Hemp Industry Faces New Regulations
LOS ANGELES- The Georgia Hemp Farming Act, which introduces new age restrictions and regulations for hemp products, took effect on October 1. The law prohibits the sale, purchase, and possession of consumable hemp products for individuals under 21, and mandates licensing for hemp retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. These regulations are intended to enhance public safety ...
California Legalizes Cannabis Cafes
LOS ANGELES- California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill legalizing cannabis cafes, where consumers can enjoy cannabis alongside food, drinks, and live performances. This move, which aligns California with cannabis cafe models seen in the Netherlands, comes as part of broader efforts to expand legal cannabis consumption options in the state. The law, authored ...
Ohio Recreational Cannabis Sales Exceed $76.2 Million in Under Two Months
LOS ANGELES- Recreational cannabis sales in Ohio have surpassed $76.2 million since launching in early August, according to data from the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC). As of September 21, sales totaled $76,280,490, with a 10% tax applied to all non-medical cannabis transactions. Ohio legalized recreational cannabis through the passage of ...
Vermont Halts New Cannabis Retail Licenses
LOS ANGELES- Vermont's Cannabis Control Board has temporarily stopped accepting new retail cannabis license applications, citing concerns about market saturation in certain regions. The pause, which takes effect on October 25, comes after issuing just over 90 retail licenses in less than two years. The Board aims to reassess market dynamics and will draft new ...
California Legalizes Cannabis Lounges: A Win for the Cannabis Industry and Leaders like Urbana
LOS ANGELES — In a landmark decision for California’s cannabis industry, Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed AB 1775 into law, allowing the creation of cannabis consumption lounges throughout the state. This move is set to revolutionize how Californians experience cannabis, providing new opportunities for businesses and establishing regulated environments where cannabis can be enjoyed ...
FBI Data: Over 200,000 Arrests for Cannabis Possession in 2023
LOS ANGELES- Despite growing momentum for cannabis legalization in the U.S., over 200,000 people were arrested for cannabis possession in 2023, according to new data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting system. The report, which covers 94% of the U.S. population, shows that 84% of the cannabis-related arrests were for possession alone. The data also ...
Harris’s Comments Over Cannabis Reform in the 2024 Presidential Race
LOS ANGELES- Harris's comments come amid a broader debate over cannabis reform in the 2024 presidential race. While Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz has suggested that cannabis legalization should be handled by individual states, Harris's stance signals a push for federal-level reform. Walz has emphasized the need for incremental steps, such as allowing veterans access ...
Week’s In Review: California Permits Lounges; Los Angeles County Targets Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries with “Deplatforming” Motion; California Bans Hemp-Derived THC Products Amid Regulatory Concerns; California’s New Hemp Regulations Raise Concerns for Industry and Consumers
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#In a landmark decision for California’s cannabis industry, Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed AB ...
Los Angeles County Targets Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries with “Deplatforming” Motion
LOS ANGELES- Los Angeles County has approved a new initiative aimed at reducing the visibility of unlicensed cannabis dispensaries on major online platforms such as Google and Yelp. The motion, introduced by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and passed by the Board of Supervisors, seeks to address the ongoing issues posed by illegal cannabis operations in the ...
California Bans Hemp-Derived THC Products Amid Regulatory Concerns
LOS ANGELES- California has implemented a ban on hemp-derived THC products following the approval of emergency regulations proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Effective September 23, 2024, the new rules prohibit any hemp-based products containing detectable amounts of THC from being sold in the state, marking a significant shift in the hemp industry. The regulations, designed ...
New Bill Seeks to Regulate Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Market
LOS ANGELES- Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act, a bill aimed at establishing a federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoids. The proposed legislation would empower the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate products like CBD while allowing states to maintain their own rules. This bill comes at a ...
Psyence Biomed to Acquire Stake in PsyLabs for $1.1 Million
LOS ANGELES- Psyence Biomedical Ltd. announced its agreement to acquire an 11.13% stake in PsyLabs, a company specializing in psychedelic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and extracts, in exchange for $1.1 million worth of common stock. This transaction strengthens Psyence Biomed’s partnership with PsyLabs, providing access to PsyLabs' production capabilities as the company advances its clinical ...
Weedmaps’ WM Technology Faces SEC Scrutiny Over Misleading Investor Reports
NEW YORK–WM Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPS), best known for its cannabis-focused platform, Weedmaps, has found itself at the center of an SEC investigation over misleading user metrics. The California-based company recently agreed to pay a $1.5 million fine to settle the matter, which stems from several violations of federal securities laws. At the core of ...
Colorado’s Cannabis Market Faces Decline Amid National Expansion
LOS ANGELES- Colorado, once a leader in the legal cannabis market, is now grappling with declining sales and tax revenues. A report from the state's Legislative Council Staff attributes this downturn to market saturation, oversupply, and the expansion of cannabis legalization in other states. The state’s cannabis market has contracted by 17% among licensed growers, ...
California’s New Hemp Regulations Raise Concerns for Industry and Consumers
LOS ANGELES- Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted emergency regulations in California, significantly impacting the hemp industry by banning hemp-derived THC products. This move, approved by the Office of Administrative Law and effective as of September 23, 2023, has sparked controversy among businesses and consumers alike. The regulation sets stricter rules, such as prohibiting any detectable ...
BudLabs: The App Innovating How Cannabis Cultivators Measure Their Success
LOS ANGELES — In cannabis cultivation, staying ahead of the curve requires not only the best products but also the best tools. Advanced Nutrients has taken a significant step in this direction with the development of BudLabs, an innovative mobile app designed to streamline the cultivation process and help growers achieve superior results. BudLabs: Your ...
Allegations of Predatory Contracts Surface in Missouri’s Social Equity Cannabis Program
LOS ANGELES- Missouri’s social equity cannabis licensing program faces scrutiny amid allegations of predatory investor contracts. Designed to benefit disadvantaged individuals, the program has seen reports of investors using deceptive agreements to gain control of licenses meant for marginalized groups. Destiny Brown, one of 16 winners of a microbusiness dispensary license, claims she unknowingly signed ...
