Legal Affairs
Aurora Cannabis Secures EU-Wide Rights for Two Proprietary Strains
EDMONTON – Aurora Cannabis Inc. has won rights from the European Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) for two homegrown strains, Farm Gas and Sourdough. The decision hands the company sole authority to produce and distribute ...
New Jersey Clears Path for $6M Psilocybin Pilot
TRENTON – The New Jersey Legislature gave final approval last week to a measure that sets up a state-backed pilot program for psilocybin therapy, allocating $6 million to explore the compound's role in treating mental ...
Week in Review: Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Highlights
LOS ANGELES – Operators entered 2026 riding a wave of solid year-end performance and calculated moves to shore up operations. December sales figures underscored consumer demand that shows no signs of fading, while MSOs refined ...
CMI Projects Double-Digit Expansion for Cannabis Testing Market
LOS ANGELES – A recent analysis from Custom Market Insights (CMI) forecasts the global Cannabis testing market to climb from $2.13 billion in 2025 to $11.15 billion by 2034, powered by a CAGR of 18%. ...
Week in Review: Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Highlights
LOS ANGELES – The past fortnight delivered a surge of momentum across the U.S. Cannabis and Psychedelics sectors, where federal signals on coverage and equity met bold state actions on access and licensing. Operators navigated ...
Psychedelics Advance in Federal Arena as Trials and Policies Align
LOS ANGELES – Federal health officials under the Trump administration have begun to signal stronger backing for psychedelic therapies, setting the stage for possible FDA approvals of MDMA and psilocybin treatments within the next 18 ...
RESPECT: House Lawmakers Introduce Cannabis Equity Resolution
WASHINGTON – A group of eight House lawmakers, led by members of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, filed a resolution aimed at bolstering fair access to the burgeoning Cannabis sector for communities long sidelined by federal ...
Aurora Cannabis Secures EU-Wide Rights for Two Proprietary Strains
EDMONTON – Aurora Cannabis Inc. has won rights from the European Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) for two homegrown strains, Farm Gas and Sourdough. The decision hands the company sole authority to produce and distribute ...
New Jersey Clears Path for $6M Psilocybin Pilot
TRENTON – The New Jersey Legislature gave final approval last week to a measure that sets up a state-backed pilot program for psilocybin therapy, allocating $6 million to explore the compound's role in treating mental ...
Week in Review: Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Highlights
LOS ANGELES – Operators entered 2026 riding a wave of solid year-end performance and calculated moves to shore up operations. December sales figures underscored consumer demand that shows no signs of fading, while MSOs refined ...
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 ...
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 ...
