Legal Affairs
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, ...
Challenges Emerge Over Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis License Lottery
LOS ANGELES- A coalition of Kentucky-based businesses has filed legal proceedings challenging the fairness and constitutionality of the state’s April 2024 medical cannabis license lottery. The lawsuit, lodged in Jefferson Circuit Court on June 27, ...
Aegis Capital Maintains Buy Rating on atai Life Sciences with $8 Target
LOS ANGELES- Aegis Capital has reaffirmed its Buy rating on atai Life Sciences N.V. (NASDAQ: ATAI), maintaining a price target of $8 following the release of positive Phase 2b results for BPL-003, the company’s investigational ...
ICE Raids California Cannabis Farms as Budget Swells and Allegations Mount
CARPINTERIA, Calif. — In a sweeping operation that has stirred legal, political, and cultural tensions across California, federal immigration authorities executed high-profile raids on two cannabis farms operated by Glass House Brands, one of the ...
Legal Status of Cannabis in Europe
LOS ANGELES- A growing number of European countries now permit the use, cultivation or sale of cannabis under regulated conditions, driven by evolving public policy and emerging economic opportunity. Germany legalized limited recreational use on ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
