Legal Affairs
Indigenous Tribes Expand Presence in U.S. Cannabis and Hemp Sectors
LOS ANGELES- A recent analysis by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and law firm Vicente LLP reveals that approximately 26% of the 358 federally recognized Indigenous communities in the continental United States are now ...
Colorado Court Dismisses Mammoth Farms’ Lawsuit Against Marijuana Enforcement Division
LOS ANGELES- A Denver District Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Mammoth Farms against the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), ruling that the cannabis cultivator must pursue regulatory changes through administrative channels rather than ...
Thailand Moves to Restrict Cannabis Use to Medical Purposes Within 40 Days
LOS ANGELES- Thailand's Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, has announced plans to implement regulations within 40 days that will restrict cannabis use to medical purposes only. Under the forthcoming rules, both Thai nationals and foreigners ...
Navigating Local Cannabis Regulations: A State-by-State Guide
NEW YORK — Cannabis regulation in the United States functions as a multi-layered governance system, where legal authority is distributed across federal, state, and local levels—with local jurisdictions exerting the most immediate control over real-world ...
TerrAscend Expands New Jersey Presence with Acquisition of Union Chill Dispensary
LOS ANGELES- TerrAscend Corp., a North American cannabis operator, has entered into an agreement to acquire Union Chill Cannabis Company LLC, a single-location dispensary in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. This acquisition marks TerrAscend's fourth dispensary ...
Fergus Falls City Council Approves Cannabis Dispensary Permits After Reversal
LOS ANGELES- the Fergus Falls City Council reversed its earlier decision and approved interim permits for two cannabis dispensaries, Sugar High and Elevate. The initial denial was based on concerns that the dispensaries were within ...
Maine Considers Stricter Medical Cannabis Regulations
LOS ANGELES- Maine lawmakers are evaluating two legislative proposals aimed at enhancing safety standards within the state's medical cannabis program. The bills, LD 104 and LD 1847, seek to introduce mandatory testing for contaminants and ...
Indigenous Tribes Expand Presence in U.S. Cannabis and Hemp Sectors
LOS ANGELES- A recent analysis by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and law firm Vicente LLP reveals that approximately 26% of the 358 federally recognized Indigenous communities in the continental United States are now ...
Colorado Court Dismisses Mammoth Farms’ Lawsuit Against Marijuana Enforcement Division
LOS ANGELES- A Denver District Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Mammoth Farms against the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), ruling that the cannabis cultivator must pursue regulatory changes through administrative channels rather than ...
Thailand Moves to Restrict Cannabis Use to Medical Purposes Within 40 Days
LOS ANGELES- Thailand's Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, has announced plans to implement regulations within 40 days that will restrict cannabis use to medical purposes only. Under the forthcoming rules, both Thai nationals and foreigners ...
Thailand’s Prime Minister Proposes Recriminalization of Cannabis
LOS ANGELES - Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced on social media his intention to recriminalize cannabis, permitting its use solely for medicinal purposes. This move aligns with earlier suggestions from the country’s health minister ...
South Dakota Moves Toward Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws (SDBML), a cannabis advocacy group, has recently submitted 29,030 signatures to South Dakota's Secretary of State in a bid to get an adult-use cannabis initiative on the ...
Vermont Legislature Passes Overdose Prevention Center Funding
LOS ANGELES -The Vermont legislature has recently passed a measure that aims to address the state's overdose crisis by establishing an overdose prevention center in Burlington. The Senate approved the proposal on May 2 with ...
Green Thumb Industries Reports First Quarter Results
NEW YORK- Green Thumb Industries Inc., a cannabis company, reported a net income of $31 million for the first quarter of 2023. Despite a slight decline from the fourth quarter revenue of $278 million, the ...
Canadian Medical Cannabis Exports Hit Record High Amid Domestic Decline
LOS ANGELES- Canada's medical cannabis industry has achieved a new milestone in exports, reaching a record CA$218 million in the fiscal year 2023-24, a substantial increase from CA$8 million in 2019-20. This surge is attributed ...
New York Faces Challenges with Illicit Cannabis Shops
NEW YORK- New York's legal cannabis market has faced significant hurdles since the state legalized adult use in March 2021. The market's expansion has been stymied by numerous lawsuits and changes in leadership, contributing to ...
New Hampshire Senate Committee Approves Cannabis Legalization Bill
LOS ANGELES- For the first time, a Senate committee in New Hampshire has approved a cannabis legalization bill, marking a significant milestone in the state's legislative history. House Bill 1633, which recently passed the Senate ...
New Jersey Cannabis Sales Hit Record High Despite Slowing Growth
NEW YORK- Cannabis retailers in New Jersey have achieved a new quarterly sales record of $201 million in the first three months of 2024. This represents a notable 38% increase in year-over-year growth and sets ...
Decline in Medical Cannabis Registrations in New Jersey and New Mexico
LOS ANGELES- Recent reports have highlighted a significant decline in the number of registered medical cannabis patients in New Jersey and New Mexico, following the launch of adult-use cannabis markets in both states. According to ...
UK Study Finds Psilocybin Effective in Treating Depression
LOS ANGELES- A recent study conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom has found promising results for psilocybin, the active psychedelic compound in "magic mushrooms," as a treatment for depression. The study, which was reported ...
Illinois Expands Cannabis Retail Licenses to Enhance Social Equity
LOS ANGELES- The Illinois state government has introduced an additional 35 social equity cannabis retail licenses to its recreational market, a move announced late last week, with expectations to issue another 13 in the forthcoming ...
Decline in Medical Cannabis Patients Following Adult-Use Market Launches
LOS ANGELES- Recent data from New Jersey and New Mexico has highlighted a significant decrease in the number of registered medical cannabis patients, coinciding with the establishment of adult-use cannabis markets in these states. Reports ...
New Initiative Explores Cultural and Societal Impacts of Psychedelics
LOS ANGELES- The University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University have launched a groundbreaking collaborative initiative titled "Psychedelics in Society and Culture" aimed at expanding research into the cultural, societal, and humanistic aspects of psychedelics. ...
Missouri Court Upholds Local Cannabis Sales Taxes
LOS ANGELES- A recent ruling by St. Louis County Circuit Judge Brian May has affirmed the authority of Missouri cities and counties to impose their own sales taxes on cannabis dispensaries, in addition to the ...
Alaska House Advances Legislation to Prepare for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
LOS ANGELES- The Alaska House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at preparing the state for the potential federal approval of psychedelic-assisted therapies. The measure, known as House Bill 228 (HB 228), was approved with ...
Cannabis Industry Licensing Trends
LOS ANGELES- The rapid expansion of the cannabis industry in North America has shown signs of cooling in the first quarter of 2024, with a noticeable decline in the number of both active licenses and ...
Red Light Holland Advances Psilocybin Research with Successful Truffle Testing
LOS ANGELES- Red Light Holland Corp., a production and distribution of functional mushrooms and psilocybin truffles, has announced the successful initial testing and dehydration of psilocybin truffles at CCrest Laboratories Inc. in Montreal, Canada. This ...
Minnesota Senate Advances Cannabis Legislation
LOS ANGELES- The Minnesota Senate has passed a measure aimed at advancing the regulation and legalization of cannabis, with a narrow vote of 34 to 32, following its approval in the House last month by ...
Canopy Growth Secures Additional Funding Amid Financial Struggles
LOS ANGELES- Canopy Growth Corp., a Canadian cannabis producer, announced a new round of funding, securing approximately $50 million through a financing deal. This funding follows a $35 million capital raise in January and comes ...
Cookies Expands Influence in Florida Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES- Cookies, a player in the cannabis industry, has recently enhanced its footprint in the Florida market, a move that comes on the heels of favorable legal advancements in the state. This strategic expansion ...
Minnesota’s Strategic Early Cannabis Licensing Initiative
LOS ANGELES- Minnesota lawmakers are evaluating a measure to issue some cannabis cultivation licenses prematurely to circumvent delays in the upcoming adult-use cannabis program. The move, reported by the Star Tribune, aims to utilize existing ...
DEA Reschedules Cannabis, Boosting Industry and Sparking Calls for More Reform
LOS ANGELES- This week, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made a significant policy shift by reclassifying cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III, alongside drugs like Tylenol ...
Public Safety and Inclusivity Drive Support for Cannabis Banking Legislation
LOS ANGELES- A recent poll by Morning Consult indicates that 64% of Americans support allowing cannabis businesses access to traditional banking services, suggesting such measures could enhance public safety. The poll aligns with growing legislative ...
Federal Reclassification of Cannabis Unlikely to Resolve Banking Challenges
LOS ANGELES- Despite the potential federal reclassification of cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, significant banking hurdles remain for state-legal cannabis companies. The American Bankers Association (ABA) has highlighted that the change ...
Psyched Wellness Reports Revenue and Strategic Partnerships
LOS ANGELES- Psyched Wellness Ltd., a legal mushroom supplement company, disclosed its financial results for the first quarter ending February 29, which were reported in Canadian dollars. The company experienced a slight increase in revenue, ...
