Legal Affairs
West Virginia and Mississippi Advance Ibogaine Research Bills
CHARLESTON–JACKSON – Lawmakers in West Virginia and Mississippi have advanced legislation to support research into ibogaine, a psychedelic compound derived from the iboga plant, with the goal of pursuing FDA approval for its use in ...
UCLA Partners with Terpene Belt Farms to Research Cannabis Flavors
LOS ANGELES – Terpene Belt Farms, a subsidiary of Nexus Agriscience, has been selected as the industry partner in a University of California-led research funded by a $1.23 million grant from the California Department of ...
Virgin Islands Sets Fall 2026 Target for Legal Cannabis Retail Launch
CHARLOTTE AMALIE – The U.S. Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation has accelerated its timeline for the start of licensed Cannabis sales, with executive director Joanne Moorhead stating that regulated retail operations are now expected ...
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Push Back Hemp Ban for Two Years
WASHINGTON – A group of lawmakers from both parties filed legislation seeking to push back a forthcoming federal prohibition on certain hemp-derived products until late 2028, offering the industry a brief reprieve to adjust operations. ...
U.S. Legal Cannabis Sales Hit $2.3B in December, Lifting 2025 Total to $27B
LOS ANGELES – Legal Cannabis sales across the United States reached $2.3 billion in December, pushing the full-year figure for 2025 to $27 billion. The month’s tally edged out November’s $2.2 billion and aligned closely ...
California DCC Grants $1.8M to UC Berkeley and Glass House Brands for Cannabis Yield Study
LONG BEACH – State regulators have awarded $1.8 million to a partnership between the University of California Berkeley and Glass House Brands to study variations in Cannabis crop yields across cultivation methods, a move that ...
MindMed Rebrands as Definium Therapeutics, Targets 2026 Trials for LSD-Based Treatments
NEW YORK – Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc., a developer of treatments derived from psychedelics for mental health conditions, has changed its name to Definium Therapeutics Inc., a move that underscores its push into late-stage testing ...
West Virginia and Mississippi Advance Ibogaine Research Bills
CHARLESTON–JACKSON – Lawmakers in West Virginia and Mississippi have advanced legislation to support research into ibogaine, a psychedelic compound derived from the iboga plant, with the goal of pursuing FDA approval for its use in ...
UCLA Partners with Terpene Belt Farms to Research Cannabis Flavors
LOS ANGELES – Terpene Belt Farms, a subsidiary of Nexus Agriscience, has been selected as the industry partner in a University of California-led research funded by a $1.23 million grant from the California Department of ...
Virgin Islands Sets Fall 2026 Target for Legal Cannabis Retail Launch
CHARLOTTE AMALIE – The U.S. Virgin Islands Office of Cannabis Regulation has accelerated its timeline for the start of licensed Cannabis sales, with executive director Joanne Moorhead stating that regulated retail operations are now expected ...
New Lawsuit Accuses CCELL of Price-Fixing & Monopoly Tactics
LOS ANGELES — February 14, 2025 A class action lawsuit has been filed against Smoore, the parent company of CCELL, and its U.S. distributors, accusing them of engaging in illegal price-fixing and monopolistic practices that ...
Global Cannabis Regulatory Summit to Convene in Washington, D.C.
LOS ANGELES- Artemis Growth Partners and Tenacious Labs have announced the inaugural Global Cannabis Regulatory Summit (GCRS), scheduled for March 25-27, 2025, at the United States Capitol Complex in Washington, D.C. This invite-only event aims ...
Ontario Cannabis Sales Reach CA$166 Million in January, Marking 6% Annual Growth
LOS ANGELES- Ontario's legal cannabis market commenced 2025 with robust performance, recording sales of CA$166.15 million in January. This figure represents a 6% increase compared to January 2024, indicating sustained consumer demand and market expansion. ...
Neurotech International Enters Development Agreement for Cannabinoid Therapies
LOS ANGELES- Neurotech International Limited, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in pediatric neurological disorders, has signed a development agreement with RH Pharma, a subsidiary of the European Cannabis Company (ECC). This collaboration aims to develop ...
North Carolina Voters Show Strong Support for Medical Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- A recent poll indicates that a significant majority of North Carolina voters favor the legalization of medical cannabis, with substantial backing across political affiliations. The survey reveals that 45% of respondents "strongly" support ...
Industry Collaboration Essential to Mitigate Cannabis Testing Lab Fraud
LOS ANGELES- The cannabis industry is confronting significant challenges related to fraudulent practices in testing laboratories, including the inflation of THC potency levels and the manipulation of safety results. These actions not only mislead consumers ...
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Advocates for Reevaluating Marijuana Incarceration Policies
LOS ANGELES- In a recent interview following his confirmation as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the issue of marijuana-related incarcerations. He emphasized the need to balance concerns ...
Understanding Price Compression and Market Trends in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES—Every CFO needs to know that price compression is a pressing challenge in the cannabis industry, driven by increased competition, oversupply, and constantly shifting consumer demands and preferences. As prices decline, it becomes increasingly ...
Société québécoise du cannabis Reports C$40.5 Million in Third Quarter Income
LOS ANGELES- The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC), Quebec's government-operated cannabis retailer, announced a comprehensive income of C$40.5 million for the third quarter of its fiscal year ending January 4, 2025. This represents an increase ...
Idaho House Advances Bill Imposing $300 Minimum Fine for Cannabis Possession
LOS ANGELES- The Idaho House of Representatives has passed House Bill 7, which mandates a minimum fine of $300 for adults convicted of possessing three ounces or less of cannabis. Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) introduced ...
Canada Invests Nearly $3 Million in Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy Research
LOS ANGELES- The Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), has committed nearly $3 million to fund three clinical trials investigating psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for various mental health and ...
Cybin Announces Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results and Business Updates
LOS ANGELES- Cybin Inc., has released its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ending December 31, 2024, alongside recent business developments. Financial Highlights: Cash Position: As of December 31, 2024, Cybin reported cash holdings ...
Montana Lawmaker Proposes Consumer Registration and Surveillance for Cannabis Purchases
LOS ANGELES- A Republican lawmaker in Montana has introduced legislation that would require individuals aged 21 and older to register with the state Department of Revenue and pay a $200 annual fee to legally purchase ...
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% ...
