Legal Affairs
North Carolina Governor Proposes Cannabis Legalization to Curb Unregulated Hemp Market
LOS ANGELES- North Carolina Governor Josh Stein (D) has urged legalization and regulation of adult-use cannabis to address growing public health concerns surrounding the state’s unregulated hemp-derived THC market. In a video posted on X, ...
Michigan Dispensary Agrees to $205K Settlement Over Withheld Tip Dispute
LOS ANGELES- A Michigan-based cannabis dispensary chain, Timber Cannabis, has agreed to pay $205,000 to resolve a lawsuit filed by employees claiming management withheld customer tips. While the company did not admit to any wrongdoing, ...
GOP Panel Requests Review of Cannabis Rescheduling by Biden Administration
LOS ANGELES- A Republican-led congressional subcommittee is urging a formal investigation into the Biden administration’s handling of the federal cannabis rescheduling process. The request, made in a report accompanying the fiscal year 2026 funding bill ...
FLUENT Corp. Expands Indoor Cultivation with Rosa Facility in Florida
LOS ANGELES- FLUENT Corp.a vertically integrated cannabis operator, has initiated cultivation at its new Rosa indoor facility in Tampa, Florida. This development adds 9,200 square feet of high-efficiency indoor canopy to the company's operations, marking ...
Atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech Announce Strategic Merger to Form Atai Beckley
LOS ANGELES- Atai Life Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, and Beckley Psytech, a private UK-based biotechnology firm, have announced a definitive agreement to merge, creating a new entity named Atai Beckley. The all-share transaction values Beckley ...
Comprehensive Cannabis Pangenome
LOS ANGELES- A collaborative study led by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has constructed the most comprehensive genetic map of Cannabis sativa to date, analyzing 193 genomes from 144 biological samples. This pangenome reveals ...
Cresco Labs Reports $30 Million in Q1 Operating Cash Flow
LOS ANGELES- Cresco Labs Inc. reported $30 million in operating cash flow for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting its ongoing emphasis on cash generation and financial discipline. This figure follows a record $132 million ...
North Carolina Governor Proposes Cannabis Legalization to Curb Unregulated Hemp Market
LOS ANGELES- North Carolina Governor Josh Stein (D) has urged legalization and regulation of adult-use cannabis to address growing public health concerns surrounding the state’s unregulated hemp-derived THC market. In a video posted on X, ...
Michigan Dispensary Agrees to $205K Settlement Over Withheld Tip Dispute
LOS ANGELES- A Michigan-based cannabis dispensary chain, Timber Cannabis, has agreed to pay $205,000 to resolve a lawsuit filed by employees claiming management withheld customer tips. While the company did not admit to any wrongdoing, ...
GOP Panel Requests Review of Cannabis Rescheduling by Biden Administration
LOS ANGELES- A Republican-led congressional subcommittee is urging a formal investigation into the Biden administration’s handling of the federal cannabis rescheduling process. The request, made in a report accompanying the fiscal year 2026 funding bill ...
U.S. States Prepare for Key Cannabis Ballot Measures in November
LOS ANGELES- Voters in several U.S. states will soon weigh in on significant cannabis-related ballot initiatives, potentially leading to broader legalization nationwide. On November 5, 2024, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oregon ...
Criticism Mounts Over New York’s Social Equity Cannabis Fund for High Costs and Limited Impact
LOS ANGELES- New York’s Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, a public-private initiative launched to support individuals disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition, has faced growing criticism over its high operating costs and limited results. Since its ...
Delaware Awards First Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing Licenses in Initial Lottery
LOS ANGELES- Delaware has initiated its adult-use cannabis licensing process, awarding the first cultivation and manufacturing permits through a lottery held on October 24, 2024. This inaugural lottery, organized by the Office of the Marijuana ...
Cybin Secures Patent for CYB005 Program in Push for New CNS Disorder Treatments
LOS ANGELES- Cybin Inc., a neuropsychiatric biopharmaceutical company, announced that it has secured a U.S. patent (No. 12,122,741) covering the composition of matter for key molecules in its CYB005 program. This patent represents a strategic ...
Unlicensed New York Cannabis Retailer Hit with $9.5 Million Judgment
LOS ANGELES- A New York Supreme Court judgment has ordered George West, owner of Jaydega 7.0 in Canandaigua, to pay $9.5 million after findings that his business sold cannabis products without the required state license. ...
Cannabis Vape Crisis Raises Key Questions About Cannabis Product Safety
LOS ANGELES — The vape contaminant crisis has significantly impacted the cannabis industry, raising crucial questions about product safety and consumer awareness. Amid this complex landscape, several industry leaders are working to address these issues ...
EU Investigates Italy’s Proposed Ban on CBD and Hemp Flowers
LOS ANGELES- The European Commission has launched an investigation into the Italian government’s proposed ban on CBD and hemp flowers, following concerns that the move may violate EU regulations. Italy's far-right government, under Prime Minister ...
South Dakota Cannabis Legalization Measure Faces Tight Race Ahead of 2024 Election
LOS ANGELES- Cannabis legalization advocates in South Dakota are facing an uphill battle ahead of the 2024 election. According to a recent Emerson College Poll, conducted in partnership with KELO-TV and *The Hill*, 50% of ...
Alabama Judge Appoints Mediator in Medical Cannabis Licensing Dispute
LOS ANGELES- A judge in Alabama has appointed a mediator to help resolve the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the state's medical cannabis licensing process. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson selected retired Judge Eugene Reese to ...
Exploring the Framework: Investing in the Polish Medical Cannabis Market
EUROPE — While global attitudes toward cannabis shift from skepticism to acceptance, Poland, as a member of the European family, stands as a beacon of centuried cultivation, traditions, resilience, innovation, and economic growth. With its ...
Discovering Investment Opportunities in Italy’s Cannabis Market
EUROPE — The medical cannabis industry in Italy is undergoing a transition period, showing a significant transformation and investment potential, driven by an evolving regulatory framework and growing public acceptance. Since the legalization of medical ...
Ascend Wellness Shares Climb 5.3% Amid Low Trading Volume
LOS ANGELES- Shares of Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. rose by 5.3% on Friday, reaching an intraday high of $0.82 before closing at $0.80. This upward movement came despite a notable decrease in trading volume, with ...
Older Adults Increasingly Turn to Cannabis for Pain and Sleep Relief
LOS ANGELES- A growing number of older adults in the U.S. are turning to cannabis for managing sleep disturbances and chronic pain relief, especially as cannabis gains legal and social acceptance. Recent studies suggest that ...
Psyence Biomed Progresses in Psilocybin Development for Alcohol Use Disorder
LOS ANGELES- Psyence Biomed, a biopharmaceutical company focused on psychedelic therapeutics, has provided an update on its development of high-purity psilocybin in collaboration with PsyLabs. The company is working towards producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) ...
What Is The Clean Label Movement: How Does It Apply To Cannabis?
LOS ANGELES — The clean label movement, which has transformed the food, beverage, and wellness industries, is also becoming a vital focus within the cannabis sector. Today’s consumers are informed, health-conscious, and increasingly demand transparency ...
Seelos Therapeutics Delisted from Nasdaq Moves to OTC Market
LOS ANGELES- Seelos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced its delisting from the Nasdaq stock exchange after failing to meet the minimum stockholder's equity requirement. Despite an extension until October 11, 2024, granted by ...
Mastering Employee Compliance: Navigating State-Specific Complexities in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES — Operating a cannabis business in the U.S. requires more than just understanding the industry's shifting landscape; it demands staying ahead of ever-evolving, state-specific regulations. Nowhere is this more critical than in managing ...
Psychedelics Market Sees Growth Amid Regulatory and Investment Shifts
LOS ANGELES- The psychedelics market in the U.S. is witnessing rapid expansion, driven by both regulatory advancements and increasing investor interest. The sector, valued at approximately $603.1 million in 2024, is projected to grow at ...
Mastering the Cannabis Market: 4 Key Strategies for Cultivation Success with BigMike
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. cannabis industry, projected to reach nearly $40 billion by the nearing close of 2024, presents both substantial opportunities and escalating challenges for cultivators. With rising competition, price compression, and increasing ...
ANNOUNCING: We’re ‘Stirring the Pot’ in New Classic Cannabis Debate Show Sponsored by Guy Rocourt Brand
GET READY to 'STIR THE POT': Cannabis Debates Heat Up in New Show "Stirring the Pot," Sponsored by Guy Rocourt Brand Launching October 2024, 'Stirring the Pot' Brings Together Industry Celebrities to Discuss the Hot Topics ...
Tennessee Introduces New Regulations for Hemp Product Sales
LOS ANGELES- Tennessee regulators have introduced significant new rules for the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid (HDC) products, which are set to take full effect on December 26, 2024. These regulations, overseen by the Tennessee Department ...
Germany’s Medical Cannabis Market Set to Reach €420 Million in 2024
BERLIN- Germany's medical cannabis market is poised for substantial growth in 2024, with sales projected to surpass €420 million ($455 million), according to a report by Prohibition Partners. The country, which has led Europe in ...
2024 Presidential Candidates Outline Contrasting Visions for Cannabis and Psychedelics Reform
LOS ANGELES- The 2024 presidential election is showcasing a diverse range of positions on cannabis and psychedelics reform, reflecting the evolving landscape of U.S. drug policy. Prominent candidates across both parties have taken varying stances, ...
Massachusetts Voters Divided Over Psychedelics Legalization Ahead of 2024 Ballot
LOS ANGELES- Massachusetts voters are set to decide on Question 4 in the upcoming November 5 ballot, which proposes the legalization and regulation of certain psychedelic substances for therapeutic and personal use. If approved, Massachusetts ...
The Normalization of Cannabis: Insights from California’s Consumption Lounges
LOS ANGELES — Cannabis has come a long way from its stigmatized past, with consumption lounges playing a pivotal role in normalizing its use. In California, legalization of these lounges is reshaping how consumers interact ...