Legal Affairs
The Intoxicating Hemp Ban Is About to Become Law — and It’s a Pyrrhic Victory for Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- The federal government just erased a $20-billion industry under the guise of “closing a loophole.” But rather than protecting consumers, Washington has dealt a crippling blow to both hemp and legal Cannabis — ...
Senate Spending Package Eyes Hemp THC Crackdown as Shutdown Continues, Trump Backs Restrictions
WASHINGTON – A bipartisan spending package drafted to end the nation's longest government shutdown now includes a provision that would sharply curtail sales of hemp-derived THC products, garnering White House endorsement and fierce opposition from ...
Week in Review: Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Highlights
LOS ANGELES – Operators sharpened their focus on balance sheets and strategic footholds while policymakers grappled with regulatory gaps and emerging threats. Funding flowed into psychedelics innovation, MSOs reported Q3 2025 earnings, trimmed underperformers, and ...
Ohio Governor Enacts Halt on Sales of Hemp-Derived THC Products
COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued an executive order on October 8, 2025, directing retailers to pull intoxicating hemp products from shelves by next Tuesday, marking a sharp intervention in the state's unregulated market ...
Germany’s Cabinet Advanced Restrictions Balancing Access and Control in Medical Cannabis
BERLIN – Germany's federal cabinet cleared a draft bill that would require in-person doctor consultations before issuing medical Cannabis prescriptions and prohibit mail-order shipments, addressing a fourfold jump in imports over the past year. The ...
Tilray Brands Reports Fiscal Q1 2026 Earnings
NEW YORK – Tilray Brands Inc. swung to a profit in its fiscal first quarter, fueled by record revenue and sharper cost management, as the Cannabis company builds on a multiyear turnaround. For the period ...
Cannabis Debt Yields Show Wide Gaps Among Top Operators, Viridian Analysis Finds
LOS ANGELES – A fresh assessment of credit profiles among leading U.S. Cannabis companies points to notable discrepancies in debt pricing that could signal untapped value for savvy investors and fixed-income players. Viridian Capital Advisors ...
The Intoxicating Hemp Ban Is About to Become Law — and It’s a Pyrrhic Victory for Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- The federal government just erased a $20-billion industry under the guise of “closing a loophole.” But rather than protecting consumers, Washington has dealt a crippling blow to both hemp and legal Cannabis — ...
Senate Spending Package Eyes Hemp THC Crackdown as Shutdown Continues, Trump Backs Restrictions
WASHINGTON – A bipartisan spending package drafted to end the nation's longest government shutdown now includes a provision that would sharply curtail sales of hemp-derived THC products, garnering White House endorsement and fierce opposition from ...
Week in Review: Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Highlights
LOS ANGELES – Operators sharpened their focus on balance sheets and strategic footholds while policymakers grappled with regulatory gaps and emerging threats. Funding flowed into psychedelics innovation, MSOs reported Q3 2025 earnings, trimmed underperformers, and ...
Health Canada Reclassifies Organigram’s Cannabis Lozenges as Edibles
NEW YORK- In a recent development that has stirred the Canadian cannabis industry, Health Canada has announced a pivotal decision affecting Organigram Holdings. The federal agency has reclassified the company's Edison Jolts lozenge products from ...
Chicago Atlantic Invests $20 Million in Nova Farms Expansion
LOS ANGELES- Chicago Atlantic, a significant player in financial investment, has finalized a $20 million senior secured financing deal with Nova Farms, an established cannabis operator. This strategic investment is aimed at bolstering Nova Farms' ...
Ohio Moves Forward with Adult-Use Cannabis Marketplace Regulations
LOS ANGELES- Ohio is on the verge of activating its adult-use cannabis marketplace following the state regulators' recent publication of the latest draft rules for the industry. This comprehensive framework, announced last week, introduces detailed ...
California Enhances Cannabis Equity with $12 Million Grant
NEW YORK- In a landmark move, California has allocated $12 million in grants to ten cities and counties, including Oakland and San Jose, as part of its commitment to fostering equity in the cannabis industry. ...
New Jersey Navigates Legal Waters on Off-Duty Cannabis Use by Police
LOS ANGELES- In a groundbreaking legal case in New Jersey, the debate over off-duty cannabis use by law enforcement officers brings to light the complex interplay between state legalization and federal restrictions. Jersey City has ...
New York Supreme Court Overturns Cannabis Marketing Restrictions
LOS ANGELES- In a significant legal development for New York's cannabis industry, the Supreme Court in Albany County invalidated several marketing restrictions on Monday, marking a pivotal moment for licensed cannabis businesses in the state. ...
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 ...
