Legal Affairs
Atai Gains Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Spot
NEW YORK – AtaiBeckley N.V., the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm born from the November merger of atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech, has secured a place in the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (NBI), a move that underscores ...
Vireo Growth Acquires Eaze, Expands into California and Florida
MINNEAPOLIS – Vireo Growth Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire Eaze Inc. in a stock-based transaction valued at $47 million upfront, marking the company's first push into the competitive California and Florida markets. The ...
Massachusetts Cannabis Rollback Gains Legislative Traction
BOSTON – State election officials have validated more than 78,000 signatures for a measure that would dismantle the commercial side of Massachusetts' recreational Cannabis industry, thrusting the issue back into legislative hands just as the ...
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 ...
Australian Policy Group Cautions TGA on Medicinal Cannabis Restrictions, Fearing Shift to Illicit Sources
SYDNEY – A prominent drug policy organization in Australia has urged federal regulators to avoid curtailing access to prescription medicinal Cannabis, arguing that such steps could drive patients toward unregulated street supplies and erode the ...
Atai Gains Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Spot
NEW YORK – AtaiBeckley N.V., the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm born from the November merger of atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech, has secured a place in the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (NBI), a move that underscores ...
Vireo Growth Acquires Eaze, Expands into California and Florida
MINNEAPOLIS – Vireo Growth Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire Eaze Inc. in a stock-based transaction valued at $47 million upfront, marking the company's first push into the competitive California and Florida markets. The ...
Massachusetts Cannabis Rollback Gains Legislative Traction
BOSTON – State election officials have validated more than 78,000 signatures for a measure that would dismantle the commercial side of Massachusetts' recreational Cannabis industry, thrusting the issue back into legislative hands just as the ...
Canadian Cannabis Wholesaler Urges Government to Reconsider THC Limits and Environmental Impact
TORONTO — The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), Canada's largest adult-use wholesaler, has issued a position paper to Health Canada, urging the agency to reconsider the current THC limit governing cannabis edibles and to address the ...
Former Adelanto Mayor Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison Over Bribes from Cannabis Interests
LOS ANGELES-- Adelanto, California's former mayor, Richard Kerr, 66, was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison on Friday for accepting over $57,000 in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for approving ordinances and permits for ...
Headspace Secures $105 Million in Funding for Expansion
TORONTO–Digital healthcare company Headspace, known for its innovative mental health solutions, has secured a $105 million senior debt facility from Oxford Finance, a specialty finance firm serving healthcare and life sciences companies. This investment will ...
German Cabinet Expected to Approve Cannabis Legalization Plan Next Week
BERLIN --Germany's federal cabinet is anticipated to approve the first part of the government's cannabis legalization plan next week, according to Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. In an interview with Rheinische Post, Lauterbach stressed that the ...
Canada’s Licensed Cannabis Producers Struggle as Unpaid Federal Excise Tax Triples
TORONTO— Canada's licensed cannabis producers are in financial turmoil as unpaid federal excise taxes have more than tripled in the latest fiscal year, according to figures provided by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). At the ...
Illinois Cannabis Sales Hit $140 Million in July, Boosted by Out-of-State Buyers; Governor Pritzker Celebrates Economic Impact
CHICAGO — Cannabis sales in Illinois surged to $140 million in July, marking the highest total for 2023 and the second-largest monthly sum since legalization began in 2020. The figures, released Thursday by the state's ...
Exploring Cannabis as a Potential Tool to Manage Opioid Cravings Amid a Drug Toxicity Crisis
LOS ANGELES–In a bid to address the escalating harm from the drug toxicity crisis, Canadian researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), found innovative strategies that harness the potential of cannabis to curb opioid ...
Do You Need To ‘Trip’ To Get The Full Effects of Psilocybin?
LOS ANGELES–As psilocybin enters the list of new medical applications in Australia, a thought-provoking debate unfolds: is the enchanting world of hallucinations, or ''tripping,'' integral to its efficacy, or can we unlock the benefits of ...
Germany’s Cannabis Endeavors Navigate Potential Hurdles Within EU Laws
BERLIN–In Germany's persistent pursuit of cannabis reform, an unexpected twist has emerged: the country's aspirations might find themselves at odds with European Union regulations, as highlighted by the German parliamentary research unit. Of particular concern ...
Synthetic Psilocybin Shows Potential in Treating Anorexia Nervosa
LOS ANGELES-- In the realm of psychiatric disorders, Anorexia Nervosa stands out as a particularly challenging condition to treat, mainly due to the resistance many patients exhibit towards change. Unlike other mental health issues where ...
Judge Issues Restraining Order Amidst Controversy Over New York Cannabis Licensing
NEW YORK–In a significant legal development, a state Supreme Court judge has taken action against the New York state Office of Cannabis Management following a lawsuit that raises concerns about the equitable distribution of cannabis ...
Ohio Cannabis Legalization Effort Gathers 10 Times Required Signatures
LOS ANGELES-- The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA), an Ohio-based coalition sponsoring a statutory measure to legalize adult-use cannabis, submitted an additional 6,545 signatures to Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office in Columbus ...
Disabled Veterans Sue NY Cannabis Regulators Over Licensing System
NEW YORK-- A group of disabled military veterans has lodged a lawsuit in New York against cannabis regulators, claiming that their licensing system for certain social equity applicants breaches the state constitution. The lawsuit, filed ...
New York City Takes the Crown as The World’s Cannabis Capital, Global Study Reveals
NEW YORK–In a recent revelation that may raise more than a few eyebrows, New York City has ascended to the apex of global cannabis consumption, a startling position for a metropolis renowned for its fast-paced ...
Cannabis Research Firm MMJ International Holdings Prepares Lawsuit Against DEA for Alleged Violations of Federal Law
LOS ANGELES-- MMJ International Holdings Corp, a cannabis research company, is gearing up to file a lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing the agency of failing to adhere to federal law regarding the ...
Canadian Cannabis Producer Cannara Biotech Reports Profitable Quarter
MONTREAL–Cannara Biotech, a prominent cannabis producer based in Montreal, has unveiled a notable achievement, reporting a profit of 2.9 million Canadian dollars ($2.2 million) in the recently concluded third quarter that terminated in May, as ...
Florida AG Says Adult-Use Legalization Campaign is Actually a Trulieve Monopoly Push
MIAMI–A campaign advocating the legalization of cannabis in Florida, sponsored chiefly by Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a notable multistate operator, has come under the scrutiny of the state attorney general, who alleges that it disguises a ...
MSO Story Cannabis Co. Acquires Four New Cannabis Stores in Arizona
LOS ANGELES-Story Cannabis Co., a prominent multistate operator, has successfully secured a substantial foothold in the Arizona cannabis market by acquiring four coveted vertically integrated licenses from Devi Holdings. These licenses, which were previously under ...
FDA Issues First Ever Guidance for Research of Psychedelics
NEW YORK-In a noteworthy stride toward potential shifts in medical practices, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced a draft guidance that could pave the way for researchers to explore the use of psychedelics ...
South Dakota Resident Initiates Effort to Repeal State’s Medical Cannabis Law
LOS ANGELES-- Newell resident Travis Ismay has launched an ambitious effort to convince voters to repeal South Dakota's medical cannabis law, approved with overwhelming support in 2020. However, Ismay may face an uphill battle, as ...
Oklahoma Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Cannabis Business Fee Increase
LOS ANGELES— The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of cannabis companies challenging a large business fee increase that took effect in June. The companies argue that the ...
Minnesota Leads in Low-Dose THC Beverages as Cannabis Market Soars
LOS ANGELES— The unanticipated success of low-dose, hemp-derived THC beverages has made Minnesota the hottest market for such products, not only in the United States but potentially worldwide, surpassing the markets in Canada and Europe. ...
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Reaffirms Prohibition on Medical Cannabis Recommendations to Veterans
LOS ANGELES— The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently issued an updated directive reiterating its doctors' prohibition from issuing medical cannabis recommendations to military veterans. The revised Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidance aligns ...
MariMed Inc. Reports Financial Results for Q2 2023
LOS ANGELES-- MariMed Inc., a multi-state operator in the cannabis industry, has unveiled its financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2023. Despite facing headwinds in the industry and consumer spending, the company's ...
Colorado Governor Jared Polis Applauds Legalization of Cannabis and Psychedelics
LOS ANGELES--In a recent interview with John Stossel, Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed his positive views on the state's moves to legalize cannabis and psychedelics, stating that the experience has been "very good." Governor Polis, ...
