Legal Affairs
Federal Judge Orders Cannabis Dispensary Operator to Bargain with Union
LOS ANGELES- In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun has mandated that the cannabis dispensary operator I.N.S.A. must negotiate with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, despite its employees voting against ...
Enveric Biosciences Eyes Major Licensing Deals for Its Drug Pipeline
NEW YORK- Enveric Biosciences is actively pursuing licensing agreements that could potentially net the company up to $410 million in milestone payments. This initiative follows a newly announced partnership with MindBio and comes amidst the ...
New York Cannabis Regulatory Chief to Resign Amid Program Overhaul
LOS ANGELES- Chris Alexander, the Executive Director of New York's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), is set to resign at the end of his three-year term in September, as announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. The ...
Minnesota Residents Sue for Right to Sell Home-Grown Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- In Minnesota, a legal battle is unfolding as four individuals who legally cultivate cannabis have initiated a lawsuit against state cannabis regulators. The plaintiffs argue that the Minnesota Constitution permits them to sell ...
Idaho Medical Cannabis Initiative Gains Momentum Amid New Signature Drive
LOS ANGELES- In Idaho, one of the few states without any legal cannabis framework, the advocacy group Kind Idaho is making strides to place a medical cannabis initiative on the 2024 ballot. The organization faces ...
Product Recall in Arizona Due to Contamination Concerns
LOS ANGELES- The Arizona Department of Health Services has issued a recall for a product known as Onion Bhaji after laboratory tests detected possible contamination with Aspergillus, a fungus known to cause allergic reactions or ...
Massachusetts Orders Cease on THCV Products by Hemp Company
LOS ANGELES- The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has issued a cease and desist order to Bay State Extracts, a state-licensed hemp business, directing it to stop the production and sale of products containing ...
Federal Judge Orders Cannabis Dispensary Operator to Bargain with Union
LOS ANGELES- In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun has mandated that the cannabis dispensary operator I.N.S.A. must negotiate with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, despite its employees voting against ...
Enveric Biosciences Eyes Major Licensing Deals for Its Drug Pipeline
NEW YORK- Enveric Biosciences is actively pursuing licensing agreements that could potentially net the company up to $410 million in milestone payments. This initiative follows a newly announced partnership with MindBio and comes amidst the ...
New York Cannabis Regulatory Chief to Resign Amid Program Overhaul
LOS ANGELES- Chris Alexander, the Executive Director of New York's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), is set to resign at the end of his three-year term in September, as announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. The ...
Governor Pritzker Campaigns for Biden, Highlighting Cannabis Policy and Political Strategy
LOS ANGELES- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker campaigned for President Joe Biden in Grand Rapids, Michigan, using the occasion of the 420 cannabis holiday to discuss the economic benefits of cannabis legalization. Pritzker highlighted the positive ...
A LIFE IN A DAY: Liesl Bernard: Executive Search Expert: CEO Kalon Wellness & CannabizTeam
Here, in A LIFE IN A DAY, Liesl Bernard shares with Highly Capitalized, what life’s like for them outside their busy working week. With over 25 years of global executive search experience, Liesl is the ...
U.S. and State Legislators Address Diverse Cannabis-Related Issues
LOS ANGELES- Recent legislative developments across the United States reflect a broad spectrum of approaches to cannabis-related issues, from medical use and public safety to regulatory and expungement processes. These actions signify ongoing, nuanced dialogues ...
Kentucky to Initiate Medical Cannabis License Lottery
LOS ANGELES- In a significant step towards the establishment of its medical cannabis program, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced plans for a lottery to allocate the state's initial medical cannabis business licenses. Scheduled for October, ...
New York to Strengthen Enforcement Against Illicit Cannabis Sales
LOS ANGELES- Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other state officials, announced a comprehensive five-point plan to address the unlicensed cannabis market in New York. This announcement, made on Friday, ...
Uncertainty Looms Over Florida’s Cannabis Legalization Vote
LOS ANGELES- Florida is approaching a pivotal moment as it prepares to vote on the legalization of recreational cannabis in November. Current polling data suggests a tight race towards achieving the required 60% supermajority needed ...
Expansion of Cannabis Licensing Continues in New York
LOS ANGELES- New York State is progressing in its efforts to expand the cannabis industry, with the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approving an additional 101 adult-use cannabis licenses, bringing the total for 2024 to 403. ...
Kentucky Advances Medical Cannabis Licensing Schedule
NEW YORK- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has signed House Bill 829 into law, accelerating the schedule for the state's medical cannabis licensing to July this year from the previously set January next year. This move ...
Massachusetts Dispenses Social Equity Grants to Cannabis Businesses
LOS ANGELES- Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts has allocated grants amounting to $2,350,000 to 50 cannabis social equity companies across 28 communities, utilizing funds from the state's Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund (CSETF). This initiative ...
Colorado Senate Passes Stringent Digital Content Bill on Cannabis and Other Substances
LOS ANGELES- The Colorado Senate recently approved SB24-158, legislation aimed at intensifying regulations on social media content concerning cannabis, psychedelics, and hemp products. This bill, met with a significant debate over free speech and the ...
Michigan Cannabis Sales Hit New Record in March 2024
LOS ANGELES- The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced a new record in adult-use cannabis sales for March 2024, totaling $286.8 million. This figure represents 99% of the state's cannabis sales, with flower products leading ...
Illinois Legislation Targets Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products
LOS ANGELES- In a recent legislative move in Illinois, lawmakers have proposed a ban on intoxicating hemp products, including delta-8 THC. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to implement tighter controls on the hemp industry ...
North Dakota Seeks to Revive Adult-Use Cannabis Initiative for November Ballot
LOS ANGELES- In North Dakota, cannabis advocates are rallying to place an adult-use cannabis question on the ballot for the upcoming November general election. The initiative, led by former Bismarck mayor and current Burleigh County ...
Cannabis Legalization in North Carolina
LOS ANGELES- In North Carolina, the path to legalizing recreational cannabis remains uncertain, with recent legislative efforts failing to achieve the necessary bipartisan support. The state's cautious approach, especially the lack of Republican backing, highlights ...
California Advances Regulated Psychedelic Therapy Bill
LOS ANGELES- California's legislative body has taken a significant step towards the formal integration of psychedelic therapy into medical practice with the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee's recent approval of Senate Bill 1012. ...
U.S. House Committee Advances Cannabis and Psychedelics Research Bills for Veterans
NEW YORK- The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs has recently passed two significant bills concerning the use of cannabis and psychedelics for veterans, gaining unanimous support among the committee members. The proposals, reported by Marijuana ...
Missouri Records $125M in Cannabis Sales for March
LOS ANGELES- Missouri has achieved a new milestone in cannabis sales, registering a record-breaking $124.7 million in combined medical and adult-use cannabis sales for March, as reported by the Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR). This ...
Cybin Inc. Secures Patent for Psychedelic-Based Depression Treatment
LOS ANGELES- Cybin Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving mental healthcare through psychedelic-based therapies, has announced the granting of a new U.S. patent for its CYB003 program, aimed at treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). ...
New York Accelerates Cannabis Licensing
NEW YORK- New York has issued over 400 adult-use cannabis licenses this year, a significant step as the state addresses the slow initial rollout that led to widespread unlicensed dispensaries. The state Cannabis Control Board ...
Congressional Hearing Spotlights Need for Cannabis Rescheduling and Regulation Clarity
LOS ANGELES- At a recent House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf was rigorously questioned about the potential rescheduling of cannabis and the regulation of CBD products. The hearing underscored the growing ...
Numinus Wellness Announces Strategic Shift in Canadian Operations
LOS ANGELES- Numinus Wellness Inc. , has completed its strategic review and announced plans to reshape its Canadian clinical operations. This reorganization, referred to as the "Canadian Reorganization," aims to refocus the company's efforts on ...
Canopy Growth Shareholders Greenlight Exchangeable Shares for U.S. Expansion
LOS ANGELES- In a significant step towards penetrating the U.S. market, Canopy Growth Corporation announced that its shareholders have approved the creation of a new class of exchangeable shares. This strategic move is a key ...
Proposed Amendment Aims to Toughen Penalties for Kansas Hemp Farmers with High THC Levels
LOS ANGELES- In a recent development within Kansas legislative circles, a contentious amendment has been introduced that seeks to impose stricter penalties on hemp farmers whose crops test above a 1% THC threshold. This amendment, ...
New Hampshire House Approves Cannabis Legalization Bill
NEW YORK- The New Hampshire House of Representatives has passed a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis, with a vote of 239 to 136, moving the proposal forward to the Senate where its outcome is less ...
IRS Guidance Eases Cash Transaction Concerns for Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued a memo that clarifies handling cash transactions within the cannabis industry, providing a potential shift in federal treatment of the sector. This guidance focuses on the ...