Legal Affairs
Verano Secures $75M Credit Agreement
CHICAGO – Verano Holdings Corp. has finalized a $75 million revolving credit facility, drawing $50 million immediately to pay down higher-cost debt and leaving $25 million on tap for future needs. The deal, arranged by ...
EU Releases Cannapol Toolkit to Aid Member States in Crafting Adult-Use Cannabis Rules
BRUSSELS – The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) unveiled the Cannapol toolkit, a set of resources intended to help national governments build regulated markets for recreational Cannabis. Developed over months of consultation with experts and ...
Trump’s CBD Endorsement for Medicare Sparks Rally in Cannabis Equities
LOS ANGELES – Shares in Cannabis companies climbed more than 20% on Monday, propelled by President Donald Trump's weekend social media post backing the inclusion of cannabidiol in Medicare coverage for older Americans. The AdvisorShares ...
California Lawmakers Back Pause on Recent Cannabis Tax Hike
LOS ANGELES – The California Senate approved Assembly Bill 564, a measure that would roll back a recent jump in the state's Cannabis excise tax for five years, sending it back to the Assembly for ...
Schwazze Nears Debt Restructuring Echoing Ayr Wellness Strategy
DENVER – Schwazze approaches a debt restructuring that closely follows the path set by Ayr Wellness, as financial strains push more companies in the sector toward creditor-driven asset reallocations. Ayr Wellness Inc., a Miami-headquartered MSO, ...
Cannabist Expands Ohio Footprint with Norwalk Dispensary Opening
NORWALK – The Cannabist Company marked a key step in its regional strategy by opening its first branded retail outlet in Norwalk, Ohio. The location represents the company's sixth storefront in the state and introduces ...
Medical Cannabis Finds Favor Among Seniors Across Continents
LEIPZIG, WASHINGTON – Medical Cannabis adoption among older populations is accelerating, with recent data from Germany and the United States illustrating parallel trends in usage for chronic and age-specific conditions. In Germany, following partial legalization ...
Verano Secures $75M Credit Agreement
CHICAGO – Verano Holdings Corp. has finalized a $75 million revolving credit facility, drawing $50 million immediately to pay down higher-cost debt and leaving $25 million on tap for future needs. The deal, arranged by ...
EU Releases Cannapol Toolkit to Aid Member States in Crafting Adult-Use Cannabis Rules
BRUSSELS – The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) unveiled the Cannapol toolkit, a set of resources intended to help national governments build regulated markets for recreational Cannabis. Developed over months of consultation with experts and ...
Trump’s CBD Endorsement for Medicare Sparks Rally in Cannabis Equities
LOS ANGELES – Shares in Cannabis companies climbed more than 20% on Monday, propelled by President Donald Trump's weekend social media post backing the inclusion of cannabidiol in Medicare coverage for older Americans. The AdvisorShares ...
California Legalizes Cannabis Cafes
LOS ANGELES- California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill legalizing cannabis cafes, where consumers can enjoy cannabis alongside food, drinks, and live performances. This move, which aligns California with cannabis cafe models seen in ...
Ohio Recreational Cannabis Sales Exceed $76.2 Million in Under Two Months
LOS ANGELES- Recreational cannabis sales in Ohio have surpassed $76.2 million since launching in early August, according to data from the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC). As of September 21, sales ...
Vermont Halts New Cannabis Retail Licenses
LOS ANGELES- Vermont's Cannabis Control Board has temporarily stopped accepting new retail cannabis license applications, citing concerns about market saturation in certain regions. The pause, which takes effect on October 25, comes after issuing just ...
California Legalizes Cannabis Lounges: A Win for the Cannabis Industry and Leaders like Urbana
LOS ANGELES — In a landmark decision for California’s cannabis industry, Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed AB 1775 into law, allowing the creation of cannabis consumption lounges throughout the state. This move is set ...
FBI Data: Over 200,000 Arrests for Cannabis Possession in 2023
LOS ANGELES- Despite growing momentum for cannabis legalization in the U.S., over 200,000 people were arrested for cannabis possession in 2023, according to new data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting system. The report, which ...
Harris’s Comments Over Cannabis Reform in the 2024 Presidential Race
LOS ANGELES- Harris's comments come amid a broader debate over cannabis reform in the 2024 presidential race. While Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz has suggested that cannabis legalization should be handled by individual states, Harris's ...
Los Angeles County Targets Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries with “Deplatforming” Motion
LOS ANGELES- Los Angeles County has approved a new initiative aimed at reducing the visibility of unlicensed cannabis dispensaries on major online platforms such as Google and Yelp. The motion, introduced by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath ...
California Bans Hemp-Derived THC Products Amid Regulatory Concerns
LOS ANGELES- California has implemented a ban on hemp-derived THC products following the approval of emergency regulations proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Effective September 23, 2024, the new rules prohibit any hemp-based products containing detectable ...
New Bill Seeks to Regulate Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Market
LOS ANGELES- Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act, a bill aimed at establishing a federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoids. The proposed legislation would empower the Food and Drug ...
Psyence Biomed to Acquire Stake in PsyLabs for $1.1 Million
LOS ANGELES- Psyence Biomedical Ltd. announced its agreement to acquire an 11.13% stake in PsyLabs, a company specializing in psychedelic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and extracts, in exchange for $1.1 million worth of common stock. ...
Weedmaps’ WM Technology Faces SEC Scrutiny Over Misleading Investor Reports
NEW YORK–WM Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPS), best known for its cannabis-focused platform, Weedmaps, has found itself at the center of an SEC investigation over misleading user metrics. The California-based company recently agreed to pay a ...
Colorado’s Cannabis Market Faces Decline Amid National Expansion
LOS ANGELES- Colorado, once a leader in the legal cannabis market, is now grappling with declining sales and tax revenues. A report from the state's Legislative Council Staff attributes this downturn to market saturation, oversupply, ...
California’s New Hemp Regulations Raise Concerns for Industry and Consumers
LOS ANGELES- Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted emergency regulations in California, significantly impacting the hemp industry by banning hemp-derived THC products. This move, approved by the Office of Administrative Law and effective as of September ...
Allegations of Predatory Contracts Surface in Missouri’s Social Equity Cannabis Program
LOS ANGELES- Missouri’s social equity cannabis licensing program faces scrutiny amid allegations of predatory investor contracts. Designed to benefit disadvantaged individuals, the program has seen reports of investors using deceptive agreements to gain control of ...
Florida’s Amendment 3 Sets Record for Cannabis Legislation Funding
LOS ANGELES- Amendment 3, a measure to legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and over, is on Florida's ballot this November. The campaign, led by Smart & Safe Florida, has become the most expensive cannabis ...
Ontario Leads Canadian Cannabis Sales
LOS ANGELES- Canada's legal cannabis market continues to show strong performance, with sales exceeding $2.4 billion in the first half of 2024, according to data from Statistics Canada. The provinces driving these numbers were Ontario, ...
Georgia Pharmacy Defies Federal Ban, Sells Low-THC Cannabis Products
LOS ANGELES- A licensed pharmacy in Augusta, Georgia, has begun selling low-THC cannabis products, directly challenging federal regulations enforced by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Living Well Pharmacy, owned by Vic Johnson, is one ...
Critical Factors for Optimizing the Employee Lifecycle in Cannabis Businesses
LOS ANGELES — The cannabis industry is rapidly growing, fueled by increasing legalization and broader societal acceptance. With this growth comes a unique set of challenges, especially in the realm of human resources. For cannabis ...
Illinois Supreme Court: Cannabis Odor Alone Not Enough for Vehicle Search
LOS ANGELES- In a significant ruling, the Illinois Supreme Court declared on Thursday that the smell of burnt cannabis alone does not justify a warrantless vehicle search. The unanimous decision stems from a 2020 case ...
South Carolina AG Confirms Legality of Hemp-Derived THC Beverages
LOS ANGELES- South Carolina Solicitor General Robert D. Cook issued a legal opinion on Sept. 16, affirming that nonalcoholic beverages containing hemp-derived delta-9 THC are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, provided they contain no ...
The High Stakes of Cutting Corners in Regulatory Employee Compliance
LOS ANGELES — In the cannabis industry, regulatory compliance is not a mere formality, but it’s a vital safeguard against financial losses, legal challenges, and operational disruptions. An often overlooked yet incredibly high-stakes area of ...
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced a bill last week to legalize recreational cannabis for adults. The legislation, known as House Bill 2500, was sponsored by Republican Rep. Aaron Kaufer and Democratic ...
Psyence Biomed Advances Clinical Trials in Psilocybin for Mental Health Treatments
LOS ANGELES- Psyence Biomedical Ltd. a life science biotechnology company focused on natural psychedelics for mental health, has issued updates on its progress in clinical research and corporate development. The company is leading efforts to ...
COMPASS Pathways Receives Analyst Ratings
LOS ANGELES- COMPASS Pathways, a company specializing in mental health treatments, has garnered significant attention in recent market reports due to favorable analyst ratings and its stock performance. Several brokerages have maintained a consensus "Buy" ...
Verano Holdings to Participate in Key Investor Conferences
LOS ANGELES- Verano Holdings Corp. U.S. multi-state cannabis company, has announced its participation in two significant industry conferences. The company’s executives will engage with investors and industry leaders to discuss important market developments and future ...
