Legal Affairs
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.” ...
Hawaii Governor Vetoes Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Over Privacy Concerns
LOS ANGELES– Hawaii Governor Josh Green has vetoed House Bill 302 (HB 302), a measure aimed at expanding the state’s medical cannabis program, due to concerns over patient privacy provisions, his office confirmed on June 9, ...
New Zealand Delegation Led by Zoë Reece Targets Multibillion‑Dollar European Medicinal Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES- New Zealand trade delegation, including key export company Ora Pharm, is advancing into Europe’s growing medicinal cannabis market. CEO Zoë Reece is spearheading the mission, aiming to build clinical and commercial partnerships for cannabinoid-derived therapies ...
Ascend Wellness Secures $50 Million Through Private Placement of Senior Secured Notes
LOS ANGELES- Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator, has completed a $50 million private placement of its 12.75% senior secured notes due 2029. The notes, issued at 97.5% of face value, ...
Alphabet Soup: Common Acronyms in Cannabis and Why You Need to Know Them
LOS ANGELES- Running a cannabis business means speaking more than the language of cultivation and branding — it means speaking compliance, with all its acronyms. You’ve likely seen a wall of them — ADA, OSHA, ...
Financial and Regulatory Hurdles Challenge New Cannabis Enterprises
LOS ANGELES- Emerging cannabis businesses in the United States are encountering significant barriers to entry, primarily due to financial constraints, complex regulatory environments, and competition from established entities. Access to capital remains a primary obstacle ...
Cannabis Use Among Seniors Sees Significant Uptick
LOS ANGELES- A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights a notable increase in cannabis use among U.S. adults aged 65 and older. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates ...
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.” ...
Hawaii Governor Vetoes Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Over Privacy Concerns
LOS ANGELES– Hawaii Governor Josh Green has vetoed House Bill 302 (HB 302), a measure aimed at expanding the state’s medical cannabis program, due to concerns over patient privacy provisions, his office confirmed on June 9, ...
New Zealand Delegation Led by Zoë Reece Targets Multibillion‑Dollar European Medicinal Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES- New Zealand trade delegation, including key export company Ora Pharm, is advancing into Europe’s growing medicinal cannabis market. CEO Zoë Reece is spearheading the mission, aiming to build clinical and commercial partnerships for cannabinoid-derived therapies ...
Trump’s Return to Office: What it Means for the Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES- As Donald Trump returns to the White House, the cannabis industry is assessing how his policy stance could shape the future of legal cannabis in the United States. Trump's position on cannabis has ...
Massachusetts Voters Reject Medical Use of Psychedelics in Close Ballot Measure
LOS ANGELES- Massachusetts voters have rejected a proposed measure to legalize the medical use of certain psychedelics, with 57% voting against and 43% in favor. The initiative sought to permit the use of psilocybin, psilocin, ...
Aurora Cannabis Reports Q2 Revenue Growth
LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced a 29% increase in revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, reaching $81.1 million. This growth is attributed primarily to the rising demand for its medical cannabis products ...
Verano Reports Steady Q2 Earnings
LOS ANGELES- Verano Holdings Corp., a major multi-state cannabis operator in the U.S., reported its Q2 earnings on August 7th. The company met analysts' expectations with an EPS of ($0.05), showing a decline with negative ...
Key States to Decide Cannabis Legalization in 2024
LOS ANGELES- In November 2024, voters in four states—Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota—will decide on significant cannabis ballot measures. Florida, the most populous among them, aims to transition from a medical-only market to ...
From Progress to Plateau: Democrats’ Shifting Gains on Cannabis Reform
LOS ANGELES- The Biden administration has a significant record on cannabis reform, characterized by policy shifts that have altered federal attitudes toward legalization. President Biden's notable moves include an October 2022 executive action urging agencies ...
Planet 13 Launches Initiative to Support Florida Veterans and First Responders with Medical Cannabis Access
LOS ANGELES- Planet 13 Holdings Inc., a multi-state cannabis company, recently launched the "Healing Heroes" initiative in Florida to support veterans and first responders. This program, active from November 1 to 14, 2024, aims to ...
Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District Becomes Key Battleground in 2024 Presidential and Senate Races
LOS ANGELES- Nebraska's unique role in the 2024 presidential election lies in its allocation of Electoral College votes. Unlike most states, Nebraska, alongside Maine, uses a split system where two votes are awarded to the ...
DeSantis Uses Opioid Settlement Funds for Anti-Cannabis Ads Ahead of Ballot Initiative
LOS ANGELES- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' administration has drawn attention for using opioid settlement funds to finance an anti-cannabis campaign. The Florida Department of Children and Families reportedly allocated $4 million for advertisements discouraging cannabis ...
Arizona to Launch Recreational Cannabis Home Delivery
LOS ANGELES- Starting November 2024, Arizona will permit home delivery for recreational cannabis, marking a significant shift in state policy. The Arizona Department of Health Services has approved this expansion, previously limited to medical cannabis ...
Cannabis Means Business — a Bold New Vision for CWCBExpo
NEW YORK (New York)-- Cannabis Means Business (CMB) is a new vision for the show previously run as CWCBExpo. This evolution is a significant shift in the landscape of cannabis industry events and reflects the ...
AICPA Calls for IRS Guidance on Cannabis Tax Policy Amid Potential Rescheduling
LOS ANGELES- The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is calling on the IRS and Treasury Department to provide updated guidance on tax policy for cannabis businesses in light of a potential rescheduling of ...
Green Dragon and Eaze to Close Operations Amid Financial Challenges and Industry Downturn
LOS ANGELES- Green Dragon, a multi-state cannabis operator with facilities in Colorado and Florida, is set to cease operations by the end of 2024. This move will affect all 17 of its dispensaries in Colorado ...
NCIA Among Speakers Approved for DEA’s Landmark Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing in December
LOS ANGELES-The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is preparing for its cannabis rescheduling hearing set for December 2 by selecting speakers to participate. Several organizations, including the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), have received approval to ...
U.S. Cannabis Market Growth Reaches $50 Billion as Industry Grapples with Worker Unionization Efforts
LOS ANGELES- The U.S. cannabis market is on track for substantial growth, with projections indicating retail sales could exceed $50 billion annually within the next several years. In 2023, combined medical and recreational cannabis sales ...
New Report Highlights Key Insights and Challenges in U.S. Alzheimer’s Patient Experience
LOS ANGELES- A new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com, "Alzheimer's Disease in the United States: Understanding the Alzheimer's Patient Experience," provides a data-driven view of the experiences of nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's. The report, ...
Did You Know… Cannabis Was Once a Legal Cross-Border Import?
LOS ANGELES- A hundred years ago, the U.S. government held a different view on cannabis, or Cannabis sativa L. Known then as “marihuana,” it was also called hemp, Mary Jane, and Mary Warner, among other names. ...
Trulieve Throws the Kitchen Sink at Adult-Use Cannabis in Florida
MIAMI — (HCN) As Florida’s November 5th election approaches, Trulieve, a dominant force in the state’s medical cannabis market, is making an unprecedented push to legalize adult-use cannabis. With a jaw-dropping $141 million contribution to ...
Industrial Hemp Market Poised for Growth, Projected to Reach $25 Billion by 2032
LOS ANGELES-The industrial hemp market is projected to grow substantially, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.29% through 2032, reaching an estimated value of $25.33 billion. This growth is primarily driven by ...
Massachusetts Ballot to Decide on Psychedelics Legalization in November
LOS ANGELES- Massachusetts voters are set to decide on a significant measure this November with Question 4, a ballot initiative to legalize certain plant-based psychedelics, including psilocybin, mescaline, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT). If approved, Massachusetts would ...
France: The Investment Landscape of the Medical Cannabis Sector
PARIS — Encouraged by the advances of Germany, the investment climate in France's medical cannabis industry is evolving on a promising trajectory, marked by a transition from a history of strict prohibition and stigma to ...
Cannabis Opportunities in Germany: Positive Outlook for Investment and Innovation
BERLIN — The investment climate in Germany's cannabis market is poised for significant expansion, driven by the global cannabis legalization movement, ongoing regulatory changes, and mounting community and market demand. As the country embraces a ...
European Cannabis Update: Embracing the Growing Dutch Medical Cannabis Market
EUROPE — As a pioneer in the recognition and regulation of the medical use of cannabis, the Netherlands has emerged as a prominent hub for cannabis investment, driven by a combination of progressive policies, established ...
Shared Liability in Cannabis: A Smarter Approach to Managing Employee Compliance with Paylient
LOS ANGELES — As the cannabis industry continues to grow, so do the challenges that come with managing employees within a highly regulated environment. From payroll and benefits to labor compliance and HR management, cannabis ...
The Rise of the Clean Label Movement in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES — Consumer preferences in the cannabis market are evolving toward healthier and more transparent products. By 2024, the global cannabis market is projected to reach $57 billion, driven largely by the increasing legalization ...