Legal Affairs
Missouri Trade Group Report Finds 96% of Tested Hemp Products Exceed THC Thresholds
KANSAS CITY – A new investigation by the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association (MoCannTrade) has concluded that nearly all hemp-derived products sold at unregulated retailers in the state contain illegal levels of THC, raising questions about ...
New Mexico Cannabis Market Edges Toward $2B in Total Sales
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico's Cannabis industry has recorded $1.9 billion in combined medical and adult-use sales since recreational legalization took effect in April 2022, according to the latest figures from the state’s Regulation and Licensing ...
Fairfax Bank Retreats from Servicing Cannabis Businesses
FAIRFAX – MainStreet Bancshares Inc., a community lender with $2.2 billion in assets, has shelved its Cannabis banking program just eight months after unveiling it as a growth driver. The decision, disclosed by CEO Jeff ...
California Enacts Law Requiring Intoxicating Hemp Sales Through Licensed Cannabis Outlets
LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 8 into law on Thursday, directing intoxicating hemp-derived products into California's tightly controlled Cannabis distribution system and barring their sale elsewhere. The measure addresses gaps in ...
Case Study: Better Data, Better Decisions: How Clean Inputs Strengthen Cannabis Strategy
LOS ANGELES- In a highly regulated and competitive industry like cannabis, data isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet — it’s the foundation of effective decision-making. Yet many operators still struggle with messy, inconsistent, or incomplete ...
NY Cannabis Board Hits Equity Target With 57% of Licenses to Social Equity Holders
NEW YORK – New York regulators reported that social and economic equity applicants now control 57% of the state's adult-use Cannabis licenses, a figure that clears the program's initial benchmark and signals steady advancement in ...
Australia’s Medicinal Cannabis Imports Hit Record Highs
SYDNEY – Figures released this week by Australia's Office of Drug Control paint a picture of robust expansion in the country's regulated Cannabis sector, with imports leading the charge alongside steady advances in domestic output ...
Missouri Trade Group Report Finds 96% of Tested Hemp Products Exceed THC Thresholds
KANSAS CITY – A new investigation by the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association (MoCannTrade) has concluded that nearly all hemp-derived products sold at unregulated retailers in the state contain illegal levels of THC, raising questions about ...
New Mexico Cannabis Market Edges Toward $2B in Total Sales
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico's Cannabis industry has recorded $1.9 billion in combined medical and adult-use sales since recreational legalization took effect in April 2022, according to the latest figures from the state’s Regulation and Licensing ...
Fairfax Bank Retreats from Servicing Cannabis Businesses
FAIRFAX – MainStreet Bancshares Inc., a community lender with $2.2 billion in assets, has shelved its Cannabis banking program just eight months after unveiling it as a growth driver. The decision, disclosed by CEO Jeff ...
First Citizens Bank Makes Historic Leap into Cannabis Banking Landscape
NEW YORK- In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the financial sector, First Citizens Bank, the 19th largest bank in the nation boasting over $200 billion in assets, has announced its bold foray ...
Strategic Merger Unites Chicago Atlantic and Silver Spike, Reshaping Cannabis Financing Landscape
In a notable development within the cannabis financing sector, Chicago Atlantic and Silver Spike, two prominent lenders, have announced their merger. This strategic move is poised to create a significant shift in the landscape of ...
Green Thumb Industries Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results
CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Thumb Industries Inc. (“Green Thumb” or the “Company”) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, today ...
Requesting a Private Letter Ruling
You may someday find yourself in a unique tax situation and want to remove any uncertainty of the tax treatment of that situation. In that case, you can request a Private Letter Ruling (PLR) from ...
Pennsylvania Borough Advances Towards Cannabis Decriminalization
LOS ANGELES- In a notable move within the state's evolving stance on cannabis, North York borough in York, Pennsylvania, is on the brink of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis. This initiative positions the ...
PharmaDrug Appoints New Chairman Amid Strategic Corporate Shifts
LOS ANGELES- PharmaDrug Inc. a specialty pharmaceutical firm dedicated to the advancement and commercialization of controlled substances and natural medicines, including psychedelics and previously sanctioned drugs, announced a significant leadership restructure. The company confirmed the ...
New Mexico Advances Psilocybin Research with Memorial Legislation
-LOS ANGELES- In a significant move toward exploring alternative therapeutic treatments, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed Senate Memorial 12 (SM-12), initiating a comprehensive study on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, the psychoactive ...
Aurora Cannabis Welcomes New CFO Simona King
LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc., a Canadia global medical cannabis industry, has announced the appointment of Simona King as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective February 21, 2024. King, a seasoned finance executive with ...
Maryland Supreme Court Sidesteps Hemp THC Case
The Maryland Supreme Court has decided against reviewing a case that challenges a provision of the state's adult-use cannabis legislation, effectively allowing the continued sale of hemp-derived THC products by unlicensed retailers across the state. ...
Germany Takes a Historic Step by Legalizing Cannabis for Adult Use
BERLIN- In a landmark decision last week, Germany's Bundestag moved to legalize the consumption and cultivation of cannabis for adults, marking a significant shift in the nation's drug policy. The measure, which was passed with ...
REVIEW: Green Dreams and Growing Pains: Benzinga’s L.A. Event Sheds Light on the Future of California’s Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES- At the Benzinga Market Spotlight event in the Bioscience LA venue, discussions unfolded that highlighted the diverse strategies and viewpoints within California's cannabis industry. One of the key speakers at Benzinga LA was ...
Las Vegas Welcomes Its First Licensed Cannabis Consumption Lounge
LOS ANGELES- Las Vegas, a city famed for its vibrant nightlife and sprawling casinos, has reached a new milestone in its diverse entertainment offerings with the opening of "Smoke and Mirrors," its first licensed cannabis ...
Business Expenses – What is NOT Deductible?
By Rachel Wright, Simon Menkes, & Abraham Finberg- CPAs licensed in California of AB FinWright LLP & 420CPA, and Andrew Gradman, Esq of Andrew Gradman Tax While it seems like a straightforward question, there can ...
Avesta Ketamine and Wellness Partners with Veterans Affairs to Offer Free Ketamine Therapy to Veterans
LOS ANGELES— Avesta Ketamine and Wellness, a leading provider of innovative mental health treatments, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer free ketamine therapy for eligible veterans. This ...
Idaho Proposes Harsher Penalties for Cannabis Possession Amid Regional Shifts Toward Legalization
LOS ANGELES- As neighboring states progressively embrace cannabis reform, Idaho is taking a contrary path with a legislative proposal aimed at intensifying penalties for cannabis possession. The proposed bill, which introduces a mandatory minimum fine ...
Mississippi to Revoke License of Medical Cannabis Testing Lab After Rule Violations
LOS ANGELES — In a significant move that highlights the stringent regulatory landscape of the medical cannabis industry, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has announced plans to revoke the operating license of Rapid ...
Veterans and Law Enforcement Leaders Call on Biden to Reschedule Cannabis
NEW YORK- In a significant push for cannabis reform, leading veterans organizations and U.S. law enforcement officials have rallied together, urging the Biden Administration to consider the rescheduling of cannabis under the federal Controlled Substances ...
Oklahoma Introduces Bill to Ban Foreign Land Ownership
LOS ANGELES- In an effort to combat illegal cannabis cultivation, Oklahoma legislators have proposed a bill aimed at prohibiting foreign land ownership within the state. House Bill 3125, introduced to the Oklahoma House of Representatives ...
Maryland’s Cannabis Licensing Rush: A Beacon of Social Equity and Industry Diversity
LOS ANGELES- In a significant move for the cannabis industry, Maryland has initiated a pioneering step with the approval of nearly 1,500 applicants, all vying for a mere 179 cannabis licenses. This development marks a ...
Arkansas AG Greenlights Medical Cannabis Ballot Initiative with Path to Adult-Use Legalization
NEW YORK- In a significant development for cannabis reform, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin approved a revised ballot initiative aimed at enhancing medical cannabis access in the state. This initiative, now set for a potential ...
Numinus Wellness Secures $6 Million in Public Offering to Fuel Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Initiatives
LOS ANGELES- Numinus Wellness, a Vancouver-based healthcare company specializing in the innovative field of psychedelic-assisted therapies, has announced the successful completion of a significant financial milestone. Through a "bought deal" public offering, the company has ...
Ascend Wellness Boosts Massachusetts Presence with Second Cultivation License Acquisition
LOS ANGELES- Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc., a player in the cannabis industry, has announced its acquisition of a second cultivation license and associated operations in Massachusetts, marking a significant expansion of its cultivation and production ...
Rhode Island Governor Proposes Tax Relief for Cannabis Industry to Counteract IRS Code 280E
LOS ANGELES- In a significant move aimed at supporting the cannabis industry, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has unveiled a proposal to decouple state tax codes from federal tax regulations, specifically targeting the financial strains ...
FSD Pharma Announces Market Offering Agreement to Fund Research and Development
NEW YORK- FSD Pharma a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a diverse portfolio of innovative assets and biotechnological solutions, has unveiled a strategic market offering agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co. LLC. This collaborative effort ...
New York Cannabis Control Board Advances with Adult-Use Licenses and Research Initiatives
NEW YORK- In a pivotal move to advance the state’s cannabis industry, the New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approved the first round of adult-use cannabis business licenses and introduced draft rules for home cultivation. ...
