Consumer Research
MAPS Wins FDA Approval for Clinical Trials of Medical Cannabis
SAN JOSE-- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Division ...
How Do You Target the Right SEC-Accredited Investors in Cannabis?
LOS ANGELES- Raising capital for cannabis startups and small businesses ...
Oregon Voters Approve Measure 119, Enhancing Unionization Rights for Cannabis Workers
LOS ANGELES- In the recent election, Oregon voters passed Measure ...
Mastering Employee Compliance: Navigating State-Specific Complexities in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES — Operating a cannabis business in the U.S. requires more than just understanding the industry's shifting landscape; it demands staying ahead of ever-evolving, state-specific regulations. Nowhere is this more critical than in managing ...
Psychedelics Market Sees Growth Amid Regulatory and Investment Shifts
LOS ANGELES- The psychedelics market in the U.S. is witnessing rapid expansion, driven by both regulatory advancements and increasing investor interest. The sector, valued at approximately $603.1 million in 2024, is projected to grow at ...
Mastering the Cannabis Market: 4 Key Strategies for Cultivation Success with BigMike
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. cannabis industry, projected to reach nearly $40 billion by the nearing close of 2024, presents both substantial opportunities and escalating challenges for cultivators. With rising competition, price compression, and increasing ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
Massachusetts Voters Divided Over Psychedelics Legalization Ahead of 2024 Ballot
LOS ANGELES- Massachusetts voters are set to decide on Question 4 in the upcoming November 5 ballot, which proposes the legalization and regulation of certain psychedelic substances for therapeutic and personal use. If approved, Massachusetts ...
The Normalization of Cannabis: Insights from California’s Consumption Lounges
LOS ANGELES — Cannabis has come a long way from its stigmatized past, with consumption lounges playing a pivotal role in normalizing its use. In California, legalization of these lounges is reshaping how consumers interact ...
Cannabis Industry Poised for $112 Billion Impact in 2024
LOS ANGELES- The cannabis financial market has been showing signs of both growth and challenges in 2024. The U.S. cannabis industry is projected to contribute $112.4 billion to the economy by the end of the ...
Germany Takes a Historic Step by Legalizing Cannabis for Adult Use
BERLIN- In a landmark decision last week, Germany's Bundestag moved to legalize the consumption and cultivation of cannabis for adults, marking a significant shift in the nation's drug policy. The measure, which was passed with ...
REVIEW: Green Dreams and Growing Pains: Benzinga’s L.A. Event Sheds Light on the Future of California’s Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES- At the Benzinga Market Spotlight event in the Bioscience LA venue, discussions unfolded that highlighted the diverse strategies and viewpoints within California's cannabis industry. One of the key speakers at Benzinga LA was ...
Las Vegas Welcomes Its First Licensed Cannabis Consumption Lounge
LOS ANGELES- Las Vegas, a city famed for its vibrant nightlife and sprawling casinos, has reached a new milestone in its diverse entertainment offerings with the opening of "Smoke and Mirrors," its first licensed cannabis ...
Business Expenses – What is NOT Deductible?
By Rachel Wright, Simon Menkes, & Abraham Finberg- CPAs licensed in California of AB FinWright LLP & 420CPA, and Andrew Gradman, Esq of Andrew Gradman Tax While it seems like a straightforward question, there can ...
Avesta Ketamine and Wellness Partners with Veterans Affairs to Offer Free Ketamine Therapy to Veterans
LOS ANGELES— Avesta Ketamine and Wellness, a leading provider of innovative mental health treatments, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer free ketamine therapy for eligible veterans. This ...
Idaho Proposes Harsher Penalties for Cannabis Possession Amid Regional Shifts Toward Legalization
LOS ANGELES- As neighboring states progressively embrace cannabis reform, Idaho is taking a contrary path with a legislative proposal aimed at intensifying penalties for cannabis possession. The proposed bill, which introduces a mandatory minimum fine ...
Mississippi to Revoke License of Medical Cannabis Testing Lab After Rule Violations
LOS ANGELES — In a significant move that highlights the stringent regulatory landscape of the medical cannabis industry, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has announced plans to revoke the operating license of Rapid ...
Veterans and Law Enforcement Leaders Call on Biden to Reschedule Cannabis
NEW YORK- In a significant push for cannabis reform, leading veterans organizations and U.S. law enforcement officials have rallied together, urging the Biden Administration to consider the rescheduling of cannabis under the federal Controlled Substances ...
Oklahoma Introduces Bill to Ban Foreign Land Ownership
LOS ANGELES- In an effort to combat illegal cannabis cultivation, Oklahoma legislators have proposed a bill aimed at prohibiting foreign land ownership within the state. House Bill 3125, introduced to the Oklahoma House of Representatives ...
Maryland’s Cannabis Licensing Rush: A Beacon of Social Equity and Industry Diversity
LOS ANGELES- In a significant move for the cannabis industry, Maryland has initiated a pioneering step with the approval of nearly 1,500 applicants, all vying for a mere 179 cannabis licenses. This development marks a ...
Arkansas AG Greenlights Medical Cannabis Ballot Initiative with Path to Adult-Use Legalization
NEW YORK- In a significant development for cannabis reform, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin approved a revised ballot initiative aimed at enhancing medical cannabis access in the state. This initiative, now set for a potential ...
Numinus Wellness Secures $6 Million in Public Offering to Fuel Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Initiatives
LOS ANGELES- Numinus Wellness, a Vancouver-based healthcare company specializing in the innovative field of psychedelic-assisted therapies, has announced the successful completion of a significant financial milestone. Through a "bought deal" public offering, the company has ...
Ascend Wellness Boosts Massachusetts Presence with Second Cultivation License Acquisition
LOS ANGELES- Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc., a player in the cannabis industry, has announced its acquisition of a second cultivation license and associated operations in Massachusetts, marking a significant expansion of its cultivation and production ...
Rhode Island Governor Proposes Tax Relief for Cannabis Industry to Counteract IRS Code 280E
LOS ANGELES- In a significant move aimed at supporting the cannabis industry, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has unveiled a proposal to decouple state tax codes from federal tax regulations, specifically targeting the financial strains ...
FSD Pharma Announces Market Offering Agreement to Fund Research and Development
NEW YORK- FSD Pharma a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a diverse portfolio of innovative assets and biotechnological solutions, has unveiled a strategic market offering agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co. LLC. This collaborative effort ...
New York Cannabis Control Board Advances with Adult-Use Licenses and Research Initiatives
NEW YORK- In a pivotal move to advance the state’s cannabis industry, the New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approved the first round of adult-use cannabis business licenses and introduced draft rules for home cultivation. ...
South Carolina Advances on Medical Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- In a significant legislative development, South Carolina's Senate has passed the Compassionate Care Act of 2024, propelling the state towards potentially establishing a medical cannabis program. However, this move, marked by stringent regulations, ...
DEA Misses Deadline to Respond to Senators on Cannabis Rescheduling
NEW YORK- In a notable lapse, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Attorney General Merrick Garland did not meet the February 12 deadline to answer critical inquiries from a group of 12 U.S. senators concerning ...
Illinois Takes Bold Step Towards Psilocybin Therapy Legalization with the CURE Act
LOS ANGELES- In an ambitious move to address the growing mental health crisis, Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura has introduced the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens (CURE) Act, a legislative proposal aimed at legalizing ...
Clearmind Medicine Inc. Advances Psychedelic Therapeutics with New Patent Applications
NEW YORK– Clearmind Medicine Inc. a biotech firm dedicated to the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics, has taken significant steps to enhance its intellectual property (IP) portfolio through the submission of three patent ...
Ohio’s Recreational Cannabis Rollout Mired in Political and Legislative Hurdles
NEW YORK- Ohio's journey towards implementing a recreational cannabis program is encountering significant obstacles, as the state grapples with legislative standstills and political disagreements. Despite the recent legalization, the path to operationalizing the program remains ...
New York State Advances Cannabis Market with New Licenses Amid Regulatory Challenges
NEW YORK- In a pivotal move aimed at bolstering the burgeoning adult-use cannabis market in New York, the state’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB) granted approval for 109 business licenses during its latest meeting. This new ...
Filament Health Achieves Milestone with Botanical Psilocybin Export to Israel
LOS ANGELES- In a significant development for psychedelic medicine, Filament Health Corp. (OTCQB: FLHLF) announced it has successfully exported PEX010, its botanical psilocybin drug candidate, to Israel, marking a first for the country. This shipment ...
New Mexico Senate Endorses Study on Therapeutic Use of Psilocybin
LOS ANGELES- In a remarkable show of bipartisan unity, the New Mexico Senate has unanimously passed a non-binding resolution urging the state's Department of Health to consider the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin mushrooms. The ...
Virginia Legislators Propose Divergent Paths for Adult-Use Cannabis Sales
LOS ANGELES- In a notable move toward the commercialization of adult-use cannabis, Virginia's legislative bodies are progressing with distinct proposals aimed at kickstarting regulated sales by the upcoming year. This initiative comes after the legalization ...