Consumer Research
Michigan Senate Tightens Controls on Intoxicating Hemp Derivatives
LANSING – In a bipartisan push to close regulatory gaps, ...
Trulieve Secures $140M in Senior Notes
TALLAHASSEE – Trulieve Cannabis Corp. wrapped up a $140 million ...
Lebanon Legalizes Cannabis, Forms Oversight Body, Targeting $1B in Annual Revenue
BEIRUT – In a significant step forward in leveraging its Cannabis sector for economic relief, the Lebanese government established a dedicated committee to regulate the cultivation and sales of Cannabis under a long-dormant 2020 law. ...
Verano Shareholders Approve Corporate Home Relocation to Nevada
CHICAGO – Verano Holdings Corp. secured strong backing from investors to move its parent company's legal base from British Columbia, Canada, to Nevada. The approval came during a special shareholder meeting, clearing a key hurdle ...
Week in Review: Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Highlights
LOS ANGELES – Executives and operators in the Cannabis and psychedelics sectors wrapped up another fortnight with a mix of regulatory headwinds, financial maneuvers, and market validations that underscore the sector's resilience. From bipartisan efforts ...
Australia’s Medicinal Cannabis Imports Hit Record Highs
SYDNEY – Figures released this week by Australia's Office of Drug Control paint a picture of robust expansion in the country's regulated Cannabis sector, with imports leading the charge alongside steady advances in domestic output ...
California Reinstates 15% Cannabis Excise Tax Through 2028
LOS ANGELES – A measure signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last month took effect on Wednesday, dialing back California's Cannabis excise tax to 15% and holding it steady at that level until at least the ...
Trump Video Fuels Cannabis Stock Surge, Yet Analysts Question Depth of Policy Shift
LOS ANGELES – A recent video posted by President Donald Trump on Truth Social, touting support for CBD products under the Farm Bill, triggered a sharp but fleeting uptick in valuations for major multi-state Cannabis ...
Ex-Curaleaf Executive Files Suit Alleging Ignored Warnings on Inventory Shortfalls at Illinois Facility
LOS ANGELES – A former compliance director for Curaleaf Holdings Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Cannabis MSO of overlooking repeated alerts about missing inventory and unlicensed pesticide applications at its Illinois cultivation ...
Circle K Eyes National Expansion for Hemp THC Drinks in 2026
LOS ANGELES – Circle K, the convenience store chain with nearly 7,000 locations across the United States, disclosed plans this week to distribute hemp-derived THC beverages in up to 3,000 stores starting next year. The ...
Manitoba Cannabis Sales Accelerate, Leaving Liquor in the Rearview
WINNIPEG – Cannabis revenues in Manitoba posted double-digit gains, handily surpassing liquor sales and underscoring the steady climb of the province's legal Cannabis trade. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, the corporation charged with distributing both products, ...
FLUENT Consolidates NY Retail Presence
NEW YORK – FLUENT Corp., a Cannabis operator with roots in Florida and Pennsylvania, has completed the rebranding of two key dispensaries in New York, bringing its retail operations in the state under a single ...
Expanded Record Sealing Opportunities Approved in Maine
LOS ANGELES- Maine's Legislature has recently approved two significant bills that enhance the state's ability to seal criminal records. Among these, one particular bill stands out for its focus on cannabis-related offenses. This legislation now ...
DEA Challenges Right to Try Psilocybin Use in Court
LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has requested a federal appeals court to refuse Dr. Sunil Aggarwal's application to use psilocybin for terminally ill patients, citing the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) which does ...
Louisiana Committee Advances Cannabis Regulatory Framework Bill
LOS ANGELES- The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee has unanimously passed House Bill 707, setting the stage for a comprehensive regulatory framework for recreational cannabis use. Introduced by Rep. Edmond Jordan, the bill aims ...
Cannabis Industry on Track to Deliver 800,000 American Jobs by 2028
SAN DIEGO — In a recent report, CannabizTeam, a leading cannabis staffing and executive search firm, detailed optimistic projections for the U.S. job market within the legal cannabis industry, forecasting substantial growth and compensation boosts ...
Study Reveals High THC Levels in Smokable Hemp Products
LOS ANGELES- A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has revealed that a significant majority of smokable hemp products contain THC levels that exceed federal legal limits, classifying them ...
Cresco Labs Workers Vote to Leave Union
LOS ANGELES- In a notable development in the cannabis industry, employees at Cresco Labs' cultivation facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, have opted to de-unionize. The decision, made ahead of the expiration of their current contract ...
Louisiana Legislators Clash Over THC Consumables Regulation
LOS ANGELES- Louisiana's legislative bodies are currently entangled in a debate over the future of hemp-derived THC consumables, with contrasting bills passed by the House and Senate. According to NOLA.com, the Louisiana House has passed ...
Expansion of Japan’s Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES- The cannabis market in Japan has shown remarkable growth from $26.3 million in 2019 to $173.8 million in 2023. This growth, detailed in a report by Euromonitor International, reflects a burgeoning demand for ...
Heritage Cannabis Seeks Creditor Protection
LOS ANGELES-Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. has sought creditor protection, reflecting broader financial distress within Canada’s adult-use cannabis market. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved the creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), ...
Minnesota House Advances Social Equity in Cannabis Licensing
LOS ANGELES- The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed significant amendments to the state's adult-use cannabis program, focusing on enhancing social equity in cannabis licensing. The changes were detailed in a recent MinnPost report and ...
Adjustments to Federal Drug Testing Guidelines Proposed
NEW YORK- The Department of Health & Human Services is considering revisions to the federal drug testing panels, as detailed in a recent Federal Register publication. The proposed adjustments include the addition of fentanyl to ...
Canopy Growth Corp Expands into U.S. Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES- Canopy Growth Corp, a Canada-based cannabis company, has secured approval from its shareholders to venture into the American cannabis market via its newly established subsidiary, Canopy USA. This strategic move involves a novel ...
Strategic Merger: Nature’s Miracle and Agrify Unite in Controlled Environment Agriculture
LOS ANGELES- Nature's Miracle Holding Inc., a vertical farming technology, has successfully completed its acquisition of Agrify Corporation, a provider of advanced cultivation and extraction solutions. This merger positions the combined entity at the forefront ...
North Carolina’s First Medical Cannabis Dispensary Opens
NEW YORK- North Carolina witnessed the opening of its first medical cannabis dispensary on April 20, a significant event as it marks the only legal, regulated, and safe sale of cannabis within the state. Located ...
Governor Pritzker Campaigns for Biden, Highlighting Cannabis Policy and Political Strategy
LOS ANGELES- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker campaigned for President Joe Biden in Grand Rapids, Michigan, using the occasion of the 420 cannabis holiday to discuss the economic benefits of cannabis legalization. Pritzker highlighted the positive ...
U.S. and State Legislators Address Diverse Cannabis-Related Issues
LOS ANGELES- Recent legislative developments across the United States reflect a broad spectrum of approaches to cannabis-related issues, from medical use and public safety to regulatory and expungement processes. These actions signify ongoing, nuanced dialogues ...
Kentucky to Initiate Medical Cannabis License Lottery
LOS ANGELES- In a significant step towards the establishment of its medical cannabis program, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced plans for a lottery to allocate the state's initial medical cannabis business licenses. Scheduled for October, ...
New York to Strengthen Enforcement Against Illicit Cannabis Sales
LOS ANGELES- Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other state officials, announced a comprehensive five-point plan to address the unlicensed cannabis market in New York. This announcement, made on Friday, ...
Uncertainty Looms Over Florida’s Cannabis Legalization Vote
LOS ANGELES- Florida is approaching a pivotal moment as it prepares to vote on the legalization of recreational cannabis in November. Current polling data suggests a tight race towards achieving the required 60% supermajority needed ...
Expansion of Cannabis Licensing Continues in New York
LOS ANGELES- New York State is progressing in its efforts to expand the cannabis industry, with the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approving an additional 101 adult-use cannabis licenses, bringing the total for 2024 to 403. ...
Kentucky Advances Medical Cannabis Licensing Schedule
NEW YORK- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has signed House Bill 829 into law, accelerating the schedule for the state's medical cannabis licensing to July this year from the previously set January next year. This move ...
Massachusetts Dispenses Social Equity Grants to Cannabis Businesses
LOS ANGELES- Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts has allocated grants amounting to $2,350,000 to 50 cannabis social equity companies across 28 communities, utilizing funds from the state's Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund (CSETF). This initiative ...
Colorado Senate Passes Stringent Digital Content Bill on Cannabis and Other Substances
LOS ANGELES- The Colorado Senate recently approved SB24-158, legislation aimed at intensifying regulations on social media content concerning cannabis, psychedelics, and hemp products. This bill, met with a significant debate over free speech and the ...
Michigan Cannabis Sales Hit New Record in March 2024
LOS ANGELES- The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced a new record in adult-use cannabis sales for March 2024, totaling $286.8 million. This figure represents 99% of the state's cannabis sales, with flower products leading ...
Illinois Legislation Targets Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products
LOS ANGELES- In a recent legislative move in Illinois, lawmakers have proposed a ban on intoxicating hemp products, including delta-8 THC. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to implement tighter controls on the hemp industry ...
