Legal Affairs
Michigan Senate Approved 24% Wholesale Cannabis Tax
LANSING – In a late-night session that stretched into the early hours of Friday, October 3, 2025, the Michigan Senate gave final approval to a sweeping state budget that includes a new 24% wholesale tax ...
Verano Pushes Digital Voting as Postal Strike Disrupts Shareholder Materials
CHICAGO – Verano Holdings Corp. is telling investors to submit votes electronically for its special meeting next month, citing delays from Canada's postal workers strike. The company released a statement warning that physical copies of ...
Psilocybin Review Points to Rapid Relief for Treatment-Resistant Depression
LOS ANGELES – A new systematic review of clinical studies underscores psilocybin's potential to deliver quick and lasting reductions in depressive symptoms, offering a targeted option for patients who see little benefit from standard medications. ...
Cannabis Real Estate Trends: What’s Selling Right Now
LOS ANGELES- The Cannabis industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace — but one thing remains constant: real estate is the foundation of every successful Cannabis business. The right property doesn’t just house operations; ...
HBA Pushes for Regulatory Framework on Hemp-Derived THC Beverages in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – The Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA), a trade group with close to 400 members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, has launched an initiative to set up guidelines for hemp-derived THC ...
Morocco Approves Licenses for 67 Cannabis-Based Products
RABAT – Moroccan regulators have cleared 67 Cannabis-derived products, signaling steady progress in the country's push toward a structured legal framework for the plant. The batch includes 26 cosmetic items and 41 dietary supplements, each ...
LSD Shows Promise in Prolonged Reduction of Anxiety Symptoms
LOS ANGELES – A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on September 4, suggests that a single dose of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may significantly reduce symptoms of generalized ...
Michigan Senate Approved 24% Wholesale Cannabis Tax
LANSING – In a late-night session that stretched into the early hours of Friday, October 3, 2025, the Michigan Senate gave final approval to a sweeping state budget that includes a new 24% wholesale tax ...
Verano Pushes Digital Voting as Postal Strike Disrupts Shareholder Materials
CHICAGO – Verano Holdings Corp. is telling investors to submit votes electronically for its special meeting next month, citing delays from Canada's postal workers strike. The company released a statement warning that physical copies of ...
Psilocybin Review Points to Rapid Relief for Treatment-Resistant Depression
LOS ANGELES – A new systematic review of clinical studies underscores psilocybin's potential to deliver quick and lasting reductions in depressive symptoms, offering a targeted option for patients who see little benefit from standard medications. ...
New Mexico Sets Record in Cannabis Sales for March
LOS ANGELES- In a significant development within the cannabis industry, New Mexico reported a record-breaking total of over $52 million in combined recreational and medical cannabis sales for March. This figure surpasses previous records, marking ...
Petalfast Acquires Flow Distribution to Enhance National Cannabis Sales and Distribution Network
LOS ANGELES- Petalfast, a national sales and distribution platform in the cannabis industry, has finalized the acquisition of Flow Distribution's sales and distribution subsidiary, marking a significant expansion of its operations and brand portfolio in ...
ANALYSIS: Ukraine’s Medical Cannabis Legalization: A Journey of Hope and Resilience
KYIV--In the heart of Ukraine, amidst the bustling streets of its vibrant cities and the tranquil beauty of its countryside, a new era is dawning—one marked by the legalization of medical cannabis. Having immersed myself ...
Hawaii’s Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Stalls
LOS ANGELES- In a recent development within Hawaii's legislative process, a pivotal House committee announced it will not advance a bill proposing the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis, effectively halting the legislation for 2024. ...
Washington D.C. Enhances Medical Cannabis Regulations and Extends Tax Holiday
LOS ANGELES- In a significant legislative move, the Council of the District of Columbia has unanimously passed the "Medical Cannabis Patient Card Extension 4/20 Medical Cannabis Sales Tax Holiday Week Emergency Amendment Act of 2024." ...
DEA to Conduct Hearing on Psychedelic Substances Proposal
LOS ANGELES- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced plans to hold a hearing regarding the proposed classification of two psychedelic substances, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC), as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances ...
Canadian Cannabis Sales Experience a Dip in January
NEW YORK- In January 2024, Canada witnessed a notable 11.5% drop in retail sales of legal adult-use cannabis compared to December 2023, as reported by Statistics Canada. Despite a revision that increased the total recreational ...
Alabama Seeks to Expand Medical Cannabis Licensing
LOS ANGELES- In an effort to resolve ongoing legal disputes surrounding its medical cannabis licensing process, Alabama has introduced a bill proposing an increase in the number of available licenses. Filed on Tuesday, the legislation ...
Oregon Reinstates Criminal Penalties for Drug Possession
LOS ANGELES- In a landmark reversal, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has endorsed House Bill 4002, reintroducing criminal penalties for possession of controlled substances such as fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. This action marks a departure from ...
Alberta Leads in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Coverage
NEW YORK- Alberta Blue Cross's recent endorsement of insurance coverage for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy signifies a pioneering move in Canadian healthcare, positioning Alberta as the first province to officially support and regulate such treatments. This development ...
Georgia Implements New Age Restrictions and Regulations on Hemp-Derived Products
NEW YORK- In a recent legislative development, Georgia is poised to enforce a new law restricting the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including CBD and intoxicating substances like delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC, to individuals ...
Awakn Life Sciences Expands into U.S. with Oklahoma Licensing Agreement
LOS ANGELES- Awakn Life Sciences Corp., a biotechnology company specializing in the development of medication-assisted treatments for addiction, particularly focusing on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), announced a significant expansion of its operations into the United ...
Ontario Anticipates Record Cannabis Revenue
LOS ANGELES- In a landmark financial forecast, Ontario expects to garner over CA$379 million from its share of the federal cannabis duty for the fiscal year April 2024 to March 2025, marking a significant 22.2% ...
University of Calgary Studies Psychedelic Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
LOS ANGELES- The University of Calgary, through its Hotchkiss Brain Institute, has embarked on a study to examine the potential of psychedelics, specifically psilocybin, in treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). With plans to recruit 128 ...
Delaware Expands Medical Cannabis Program Access
NEW YORK- Delaware lawmakers have passed a significant bill aimed at broadening access to the state's medical cannabis program. On Thursday, the Delaware Senate approved a proposal that grants healthcare providers the discretion to certify ...
Imperial Brands Acquires Stake in Auxly Cannabis Group
LOS ANGELES- Imperial Brands has effectively become the largest shareholder of Auxly Cannabis Group, acquiring a 19.8% stake after converting over 123.4 million Canadian dollars ($90.6 million) in total debt into shares. This move was ...
North Carolina Senate Approves Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill
LOS ANGELES- The North Carolina Senate gave final approval to a medical cannabis legalization bill this week, sending the proposal to the House for consideration. Notably, the proposal would not legalize adult-use cannabis even under ...
Maryland Awards Social Equity Cannabis Licenses
LOS ANGELES- In a significant move by the Maryland Cannabis Administration, 174 social equity cannabis licenses were awarded through a lottery system, showcasing the state's commitment to diversity and inclusion within the burgeoning cannabis industry. ...
Florida Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- The Florida Supreme Court is set to make a pivotal decision regarding the appearance of an adult-use cannabis legalization amendment on the November ballot, according to ClickOrlando. This determination follows a challenge by ...
Organigram Announces Investment in Open Book Extracts
NEW YORK- Organigram Holdings, a Canadian cannabis company, announced a $2 million investment in North Carolina-based Open Book Extracts. This move signifies Organigram's entry into the U.S. cannabis market, facilitated by an investment from British ...
Algernon Pharmaceuticals Advances Research Program
LOS ANGELES – In a significant move that underscores its commitment to innovative medical research, Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced its decision to prioritize its AP-188 ("N,N-Dimethyltryptamine" or "DMT") stroke research program. This announcement follows the ...
Germany Ushers in a New Era with Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization
BERLIN- As the clock struck midnight in Germany, transitioning from March 31st to April 1st, the nation embraced a historic shift in its drug policy landscape. Germany’s new adult-use cannabis legalization law, known as the ...
Colombia’s Medical Cannabis Exports Surge to $10.8 Million Amid Regulatory Enhancements
BOGOTA- In a notable advancement for Colombia's burgeoning medical cannabis industry, exports have seen a significant rise, reaching $10.8 million in 2023, as reported by ProColombia, a key government agency dedicated to fostering nontraditional Colombian ...
Glass House Brands Report Revenue and Profits
LOS ANGELES- In a notable financial turnaround, Glass House Brands, a California-based cannabis producer and retailer, reported significant growth in its fourth-quarter earnings, leading to a record revenue of $160.8 million for the fiscal year ...
ICER Raises Concerns Over MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD
LOS ANGELES- The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has recently highlighted significant concerns regarding the clinical evidence behind MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a draft evidence report. This ...
