Legal Affairs
California Governor Approves Fast Track for Cannabis and Psychedelics Studies
LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed Assembly Bill 1103 into law on Friday, October 10, clearing hurdles for researchers studying Cannabis and psychedelics in the state. The measure targets delays in approving projects ...
AYR Wellness Kicks Off Public Auction in Debt Restructuring Push
LOS ANGELES – Miami-based AYR Wellness Inc. moved ahead with its financial reset by starting Article 9 foreclosure proceedings under the Uniform Commercial Code to auction core assets. Odyssey Trust Company, serving as collateral trustee ...
From Cherokee to California: The New Bipartisan Crackdown on ‘Kid-Friendly’ Cannabis Marketing
LOS ANGELES- The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) issued fresh guidance this week reminding licensees that marketing, packaging, and labeling that could appeal to minors is strictly prohibited under MAUCRSA. It specifically highlighted bright ...
Oregon Invites Input on Psilocybin Service Center Regulations Through New Advisory Panel
SALEM – State health officials in Oregon are seeking participants for a rules advisory committee that will shape permanent guidelines on the temporary use of licensed Psilocybin Service Centers, as applications close in less than ...
California Enacts Law Requiring Intoxicating Hemp Sales Through Licensed Cannabis Outlets
LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 8 into law on Thursday, directing intoxicating hemp-derived products into California's tightly controlled Cannabis distribution system and barring their sale elsewhere. The measure addresses gaps in ...
Case Study: Better Data, Better Decisions: How Clean Inputs Strengthen Cannabis Strategy
LOS ANGELES- In a highly regulated and competitive industry like cannabis, data isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet — it’s the foundation of effective decision-making. Yet many operators still struggle with messy, inconsistent, or incomplete ...
NY Cannabis Board Hits Equity Target With 57% of Licenses to Social Equity Holders
NEW YORK – New York regulators reported that social and economic equity applicants now control 57% of the state's adult-use Cannabis licenses, a figure that clears the program's initial benchmark and signals steady advancement in ...
California Governor Approves Fast Track for Cannabis and Psychedelics Studies
LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed Assembly Bill 1103 into law on Friday, October 10, clearing hurdles for researchers studying Cannabis and psychedelics in the state. The measure targets delays in approving projects ...
AYR Wellness Kicks Off Public Auction in Debt Restructuring Push
LOS ANGELES – Miami-based AYR Wellness Inc. moved ahead with its financial reset by starting Article 9 foreclosure proceedings under the Uniform Commercial Code to auction core assets. Odyssey Trust Company, serving as collateral trustee ...
From Cherokee to California: The New Bipartisan Crackdown on ‘Kid-Friendly’ Cannabis Marketing
LOS ANGELES- The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) issued fresh guidance this week reminding licensees that marketing, packaging, and labeling that could appeal to minors is strictly prohibited under MAUCRSA. It specifically highlighted bright ...
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill to Prevent Tax Deductions for Cannabis Businesses
LOS ANGELES- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the "No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act," aiming to prevent cannabis businesses from deducting business expenses on their federal taxes, even if cannabis is rescheduled under federal law. ...
What You Need to Know: 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 ...
Atai Life Sciences Reports Positive Results from BPL-003 Phase 2a Study
LOS ANGELES- Atai Life Sciences has announced favorable outcomes from a Phase 2a open-label study evaluating BPL-003, an intranasal formulation of 5-MeO-DMT benzoate, in patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study ...
TILT Holdings Divests Massachusetts Dispensaries for $2 Million
LOS ANGELES- TILT Holdings Inc., a cannabis business solutions provider, has entered into an agreement to divest two of its Massachusetts dispensaries to In Good Health, a private single-state cannabis operator, for $2 million in ...
Minnesota’s Cannabis Office Initiates Grant Program for Communities Affected by Prohibition
LOS ANGELES- The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has introduced the CanRenew Community Restoration Grants, a program designed to support communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis prohibition policies. In 2025, the program will allocate ...
The Future of Cannabis Under Trump’s 2025 Administration: A Tough Road Ahead?
WASHINGTON, D.C.–As the new Trump administration takes shape in 2025, the future of cannabis policy in the United States remains uncertain. While President Trump has occasionally expressed support for a state's rights approach to cannabis ...
Missouri Expunges More than 140,000 Cannabis Cases
ST LOUIS- Missouri courts have expunged more than 140,000 cannabis-related cases since voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2022 to legalize recreational cannabis. However, the total number of expungements is unlikely to grow significantly beyond ...
New Mexico House Bill 331 Proposes Mandatory Labor Peace Agreements for Cannabis Businesses
LOS ANGELES- New Mexico House Bill 331 was introduced, proposing that cannabis establishments with ten or more employees be required to enter into, maintain, and adhere to labor peace agreements with bona fide labor organizations. ...
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 ...
