Legal Affairs
Glass House Brands Tightens Up Compliance After ICE Raids Shake Operations
LOS ANGELES – Glass House Brands Inc. has swiftly moved to strengthen its compliance protocols following federal immigration raids on two of its California farms on July 10. Conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ...
Canada’s Cannabis Industry Defies Economic Odds
TORONTO – In a striking contrast to Canada’s faltering economy, the legal Cannabis industry continues to flourish, bolstering the nation’s GDP while other sectors struggle. Statistics Canada reports that the licensed cannabis sector grew by ...
Cannabis Giants Grapple with Weak ROIC, Viridian Report Finds
LOS ANGELES – A recent analysis by Viridian Capital Advisors paints a somber picture for the Cannabis industry, projecting that none [!] of the 11 major companies studied will achieve a Return on Invested Capital ...
Arkansas Activists Blaze Trail for Psychedelic Reform
BENTONVILLE – In the heart of Northwest Arkansas, a group of dedicated activists is pushing to reshape the legal landscape for psychedelics. Decriminalize Nature NW Arkansas, founded in 2023, is leading the charge to decriminalize ...
Kentucky Governor Urges Trump to Honor Campaign Promise on Cannabis Rescheduling
FRANKFORT – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) has stepped into the national spotlight, urging President Donald Trump to oppose congressional efforts that would halt the federal rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III ...
The DEA’s Time‑Warp Appointment: Terrance Cole and the Revival of “Reefer Madness”
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Terrance Cole, the newly confirmed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator, brings a worldview rooted in 1980s-era drug hysteria—one that dismisses decades of research, economic gains from cannabis legalization, and evolving public opinion. ...
Texas Governor Backs Regulation Over Ban in Hemp THC Showdown
DALLAS —Texas Governor Greg Abbott has drawn a firm line in the sand when it comes to the future of the hemp industry in the Lone Star State. In a public statement on July 22, ...
Glass House Brands Tightens Up Compliance After ICE Raids Shake Operations
LOS ANGELES – Glass House Brands Inc. has swiftly moved to strengthen its compliance protocols following federal immigration raids on two of its California farms on July 10. Conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ...
Canada’s Cannabis Industry Defies Economic Odds
TORONTO – In a striking contrast to Canada’s faltering economy, the legal Cannabis industry continues to flourish, bolstering the nation’s GDP while other sectors struggle. Statistics Canada reports that the licensed cannabis sector grew by ...
Cannabis Giants Grapple with Weak ROIC, Viridian Report Finds
LOS ANGELES – A recent analysis by Viridian Capital Advisors paints a somber picture for the Cannabis industry, projecting that none [!] of the 11 major companies studied will achieve a Return on Invested Capital ...
Awakn Life Sciences Secures $535,000 Credit Facility to Advance Addiction Treatment Programs
LOS ANGELES - Awakn Life Sciences Corp. a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on treatments for substance use and mental health disorders, has secured an unsecured credit facility of up to US$535,000 from an arm's length ...
Massachusetts Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Reach Record $1.64 Billion in 2024
LOS ANGELES- In 2024, Massachusetts' adult-use cannabis industry achieved a record $1.64 billion in gross sales, marking a significant milestone since the state's first recreational dispensaries opened in November 2018. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission ...
Nebraska Medical Cannabis Bills Propose Vertical Integration with License Caps
LOS ANGELES- Nebraska lawmakers have introduced legislative proposals to implement the state's recently approved medical cannabis laws. The proposed regulations include provisions for vertical integration and impose caps on the number of licenses issued. Under ...
European Citizens Launch Initiative to Promote Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
LOS ANGELES- A coalition of healthcare professionals, academics, and advocates has initiated the PsychedeliCare European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), aiming to enhance access to psychedelic-assisted therapies across the European Union. The campaign seeks to collect one ...
New York’s Cannabis Tax Revenue Surges Amid Market Expansion
LOS ANGELES- New York State is experiencing a significant increase in tax revenue from legal cannabis sales. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, the state anticipates collecting $161.8 million, a fourfold increase from ...
Regulatory Challenges for Hemp Beverages in the USA
LOS ANGELES - The hemp beverage industry in the United States is growing rapidly, driven by consumer demand for wellness-focused and sustainable alternatives to traditional drinks. According to Fortune Business Insights, the U.S. cannabis beverage ...
The Rise of Cannabis Beverages: Trends and Market Insights for 2025
LOS ANGELES - Cannabis beverages are gaining traction in the health and wellness industry as a new way to deliver cannabinoid benefits. As 2025 approaches, this market is projected to grow significantly, evolving consumer preferences ...
Poland’s Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Decline Amid Regulatory Changes
LOS ANGELES- Recent regulatory changes in Poland have led to a significant decrease in medical cannabis prescriptions. In August 2023, the Ministry of Health implemented a regulation requiring physicians to verify a patient's medication history ...
High Tide Acquires Majority Stake in Germany’s Purecan GmbH
LOS ANGELES- Canadian cannabis retailer High Tide Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire a 51% stake in German pharmaceutical wholesaler Purecan GmbH for approximately €4.8 million. The transaction comprises €2.4 million in High ...
MindMed Advances Clinical Programs and Secures Significant Funding
LOS ANGELES- Mind Medicine has released its 2025 Corporate Presentation, detailing strategic initiatives and significant financial developments. The company has secured a substantial $250 million equity investment, bolstering its cash reserves to approximately $295.3 million ...
Leafly Holdings Delisted from Nasdaq Amid Financial Challenges
LOS ANGELES- Leafly Holdings, Inc, a online cannabis discovery platform, was delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market on January 17, 2025, after failing to meet the exchange's minimum net income requirement of $500,000 from continuing ...
Pallas Capital Advisors LLC Increases Investment in Tilray Inc.
LOS ANGELES- Pallas Capital Advisors LLC has significantly increased its investment in Tilray Inc, a company in the cannabis industry. According to the firm's latest 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Pallas Capital ...
Ascend Wellness Secures $15 Million in Private Placement to Bolster Growth Initiatives
LOS ANGELES- Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator, has successfully completed a $15 million private placement of its 12.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2029. These notes were issued at 97% of ...
President Trump’s Role in Cannabis Rescheduling and Federal Reform
LOS ANGELES- President Donald Trump is poised to significantly influence the trajectory of federal cannabis policy, particularly concerning the rescheduling of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The rescheduling process, initiated under the previous ...
Virginia Senate Committee Advances Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis Sales
LOS ANGELES- On January 17, 2025, the Virginia Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee approved Senate Bill 970 (SB 970) with an 8–7 vote along party lines. Introduced by Senator Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach), the ...
The Important Tax Deadlines to Remember in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES—As we enter 2025, it's crucial for individuals and businesses to keep track of key tax deadlines. Missing these dates can lead to penalties, interest charges, and wasted opportunities for tax savings. At Growise ...
Senator Warren Seeks Clarification from RFK Jr. on Cannabis Legalization and Rescheduling
LOS ANGELES- Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has formally requested that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), clarify his stance on cannabis legalization and rescheduling. In a comprehensive ...
Virginia Officials Advocate for Automatic Sealing of Cannabis Possession Records
LOS ANGELES- Virginia state officials are advocating for legislative measures to automatically seal all criminal records related to simple cannabis possession without the necessity of court orders. The Virginia State Crime Commission (VSCC) has endorsed ...
Analysis: Pennsylvania’s Cannabis Industry: Current Growth and Future Projections
NEW YORK- The cannabis industry in Pennsylvania continues to evolve, with medical cannabis already generating over $1.5 billion in annual sales. Discussions about recreational legalization are intensifying, particularly as the state's budget deficit grows and ...
Arkansas Governor Proposes Funding Free School Meals with Medical Cannabis Tax Revenue
LOS ANGELES- Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced plans to allocate tax revenue from medical cannabis sales to fund free school meals across the state. In her State of the State address, Governor Sanders ...
Vireo Growth Completes $81 Million Equity Offering
LOS ANGELES- Vireo Growth Inc., a Minneapolis-based cannabis multistate operator, has successfully concluded an oversubscribed private placement, raising approximately $81 million. Initially targeting $75 million, the company issued 129,536,874 subordinate voting shares at $0.625 per ...
Biden Commutes Sentences of Nearly 2,500 Nonviolent Drug Offenders
LOS ANGELES- President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of approximately 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, marking a significant use of executive clemency. This action aims to address past disparities in drug-related sentencing, ...
New York Supreme Court Halts Warrantless Raids on Licensed Hemp Retailers
LOS ANGELES- In a recent decision, New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Marcelle issued an injunction against the New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB), the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), and the New ...
Indiana Legislators Introduce Cannabis Legalization and Psilocybin Research Bills
LOS ANGELES- Indiana lawmakers have initiated efforts to reform the state's drug policies in the 2025 legislative session, introducing several bills aimed at legalizing cannabis and funding psilocybin research. Cannabis Legalization Proposals Senate Bill 113, ...
Colorado Considers Psilocybin Prescription Legislation
LOS ANGELES- Colorado lawmakers have introduced House Bill 25-1063, a bipartisan proposal that would permit the prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin—a synthetic form of the psychedelic compound—contingent upon approval by the U.S. Food and Drug ...
