Legal Affairs
New Zealand Approves Psilocybin for Medicinal Use
LOS ANGELES— New Zealand’s government has authorized the prescription of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in so‑called “magic mushrooms,” for patients with treatment‑resistant depression. This marks the first time psilocybin has been approved for medical use ...
Psyence Group Inc. Announces C$600,000 Private Share Offering
LOS ANGELES— Psyence Group Inc. a biotechnology firm focused on nature-derived psilocybin for mental health and palliative care, has announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$600,000. The offering, detailed in a news ...
Texas Governor Expands Medical Cannabis Program, Vetoes THC Ban
LOS ANGELES— Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 46 into law, significantly expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis program, while vetoing Senate Bill 3, which aimed to ban hemp‑derived THC products—including delta‑8 gummies, ...
Rose Hill Apothecary Completes First Research-Grade Psilocybin Export to Brazil
LOS ANGELES- Rose Hill Apothecary, the research-grade psilocybin arm of Rose Hill Life Sciences, has executed its inaugural international export deal, shipping 18 kilograms of dried psilocybin-containing mushrooms to Biocase Brasil Importação e Comércio de ...
Emerging Programs Aim to Democratize Cannabis Cultivation
LOS ANGELES- Governments, industry groups, and educational institutions are launching a wave of initiatives aimed at lowering barriers to entry in cannabis cultivation and production—efforts collectively referred to as “democratizing cannabis production.” These programs focus ...
Planet 13 Reports Shareholder Decisions at Annual Meeting
LOS ANGELES- Planet 13 Holdings Inc. multi-state cannabis company headquartered in Las Vegas, disclosed the results of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 10, 2025. The meeting addressed key matters related to corporate ...
German Court Rules Prison Cells Qualify for Cannabis Possession Rules
LOS ANGELES- A Berlin appellate court (Kammergericht) has ruled that prisoners are legally permitted to possess up to 50 grams of cannabis in their cells for personal use, classifying prison quarters as the inmates’ “habitual residence.” ...
New Zealand Approves Psilocybin for Medicinal Use
LOS ANGELES— New Zealand’s government has authorized the prescription of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in so‑called “magic mushrooms,” for patients with treatment‑resistant depression. This marks the first time psilocybin has been approved for medical use ...
Psyence Group Inc. Announces C$600,000 Private Share Offering
LOS ANGELES— Psyence Group Inc. a biotechnology firm focused on nature-derived psilocybin for mental health and palliative care, has announced a non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$600,000. The offering, detailed in a news ...
Texas Governor Expands Medical Cannabis Program, Vetoes THC Ban
LOS ANGELES— Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 46 into law, significantly expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis program, while vetoing Senate Bill 3, which aimed to ban hemp‑derived THC products—including delta‑8 gummies, ...
Maine Governor Advocates for Enhanced Regulation of Medical Cannabis Program
LOS ANGELES- In her recent State of the Budget address, Governor Janet Mills characterized Maine's medical cannabis program as the "wild, wild west," advocating for increased regulation to ensure consumer safety. She proposed implementing mandatory ...
Germany’s Evolving Cannabis Landscape in 2025
LOS ANGELES- In 2025, Germany's cannabis sector is experiencing significant developments following the enactment of the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz) on April 1, 2024. This legislation permits adults aged 18 and over to possess up to ...
Illinois Cannabis Sales Surpass $2 Billion in 2024
LOS ANGELES- In 2024, Illinois' legal cannabis market achieved sales exceeding $2 billion, marking a 2.5% increase from the previous year. This total comprises approximately $1.722 billion in adult-use cannabis sales and over $285 million ...
California Cannabis Industry Faces Potential Crisis Amid Proposed Tax Increase
LOS ANGELES- The legal cannabis industry in California is confronting significant financial challenges as a proposed increase in the state excise tax looms. Currently set at 15%, the tax is scheduled to rise to 19% ...
Calgary Considers Permitting Cannabis Sales at Adult-Only Events
LOS ANGELES- Calgary city officials are evaluating a proposal to permit the sale of cannabis at adult-only events. Councillor Kourtney Penner has introduced a motion requesting city administration to draft bylaw and business license amendments ...
Aurora Cannabis Reports Record Revenue Driven by International Medical Sales
LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc. has announced a significant increase in revenue for its fiscal third quarter, primarily due to substantial growth in international medical cannabis sales. The company's total net revenue reached C$88.2 million, ...
Arkansas Senate Advances Bill to Fund Free School Breakfasts Using Medical Cannabis Revenue
LOS ANGELES- The Arkansas Senate has approved a bill to allocate revenue from medical cannabis taxes to fund free breakfasts for students statewide. The legislation, designated as SB 59, proposes supplementing federal meal programs with ...
New York’s Cannabis Regulatory Body Introduces Banking Directory
LOS ANGELES- The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has launched a Cannabis Banking Directory to assist licensed cannabis businesses in identifying financial institutions willing to provide banking services. This initiative aims to mitigate ...
Tennessee Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Legalize Recreational and Medical Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- Tennessee legislators have introduced two separate bills aimed at legalizing both recreational and medical cannabis use within the state. Recreational Use Legislation: Senate Bill 0809, known as the Tennessee Cannabis Act, was introduced ...
Awakn Life Sciences Advances Therapeutics for Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders
LOS ANGELES- Awakn Life Sciences Corp. a biotechnology company, has reported progress in its research and development programs targeting Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). AWKN-001: This investigational therapy combines intravenous ketamine ...
Cannabis Brands Leverage for Marketing Amid Advertising Restrictions
LOS ANGELES- The Super Bowl presents a significant opportunity for cannabis businesses to enhance brand and product awareness, despite existing advertising limitations. While traditional advertising channels during the Super Bowl remain inaccessible to cannabis companies ...
Aurora Cannabis Reports Record-Breaking Q3 2025 Financial Results
LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced its fiscal third-quarter 2025 results, highlighting significant growth in revenue and profitability. Financial Highlights: Net Revenue: The company reported net revenue of C$88.2 million for the quarter ending December ...
Enveric Biosciences Executes Reverse Stock Split and Announces Patent Milestone
LOS ANGELES- Enveric Biosciences, Inc. recently implemented a 1-for-15 reverse stock split, effective January 29, 2025, to comply with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement. Following the split, the company conducted a public offering, raising $5 ...
Kentucky Issues Initial Medical Cannabis Patient Identification Cards
LOS ANGELES- Kentucky commenced the distribution of its first medical cannabis patient identification cards. Governor Andy Beshear awarded the inaugural cards to Dr. Ryan Grell, an anesthesiologist and owner of the Kentucky Medical Marijuana Center, ...
Paraguay Considers Legalizing Recreational Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- Paraguay is evaluating the legalization of recreational cannabis, with the Senate scheduled to vote on a proposal in March 2025. The initiative aims to permit the sale of cannabis in regulated dispensaries, under ...
Prospects of Executive Action on Cannabis Under the Trump Administration
LOS ANGELES- As of early February 2025, there is no indication that President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order directly impacting the cannabis industry. While President Trump has previously expressed support for reclassifying ...
Frontier Risk Group Secures $3 Million in Seed+ Funding
LOS ANGELES- Frontier Risk Group, a company specializing in insurance solutions for the cannabis industry, has announced the successful completion of a $3 million Seed+ funding round. This round was led by Casa Verde, a ...
Nanotechnology-Enhanced CBD Demonstrates Neuroprotective Effects in Retinal Study
LOS ANGELES- A study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology investigated the neuroprotective properties of cannabidiol (CBD) delivered via nanotechnology in an animal model of retinal excitotoxicity. Researchers from the University of Catania, University ...
Texas Lieutenant Governor Prioritizes THC Ban in 2025 Legislative Agenda
LOS ANGELES- Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has designated the prohibition of all consumable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products as a primary objective for Texas' 2025 legislative session. Senate Bill 3, introduced on January 29, 2025, aims to ...
Maine Proposes Mandatory Testing for Medical Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- A new bill introduced in the Maine Legislature seeks to implement mandatory testing for medical cannabis products, aligning them with the state's existing standards for recreational cannabis. Sponsored by Representative Marc Malon and ...
What You Need to Know About Mergers, Acquisitions, and Consolidation
LOS ANGELES—Every CFO needs to know that navigating mergers, acquisitions, and consolidation in cannabis and psychedelics industries requires a deep understanding of business valuation complexities and strategic deal-making. Effective M&A strategies are crucial to driving ...
A Celebration of Cannabis Culture and Commerce: Hall of Flowers Returns to Ventura
LOS ANGELES-Hall of Flowers, one of America’s premier cannabis trade shows, founded in 2018, is poised to make a grand return to the Ventura County Fairgrounds on March 19-20, 2025. This event has become a ...
What You Need to Know About Capital Investment Strategies
LOS ANGELES—Every CFO needs to know that strategic capital investment in the cannabis and psychedelic industries requires a nuanced approach that balances innovation, risk management, and potential. As the market continues to transform and unfold, ...
Indiana House Blocks Cannabis Reclassification
LOS ANGELES- On January 27, 2025, the Indiana House of Representatives voted down an amendment to House Bill 1056 that sought to remove cannabis from the state's list of Schedule I controlled substances. The amendment, ...
Rastafarians Lead Caribbean Cannabis Boom
LOS ANGELES- In recent years, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has witnessed a transformative shift in its cannabis industry, particularly benefiting Rastafarian farmers who have long regarded the plant as sacred. Historically, these cultivators ...
