Legal Affairs
Whiskey Maker Trims Footprint as Buyers Turn to Cannabis
SEATTLE – Heritage Distilling Company, a craft spirits producer based in the Pacific Northwest, disclosed plans this week to streamline its operations, pointing to changing buyer habits that favor Cannabis products over traditional liquor. The ...
Circle K Eyes National Expansion for Hemp THC Drinks in 2026
LOS ANGELES – Circle K, the convenience store chain with nearly 7,000 locations across the United States, disclosed plans this week to distribute hemp-derived THC beverages in up to 3,000 stores starting next year. The ...
Manitoba Cannabis Sales Accelerate, Leaving Liquor in the Rearview
WINNIPEG – Cannabis revenues in Manitoba posted double-digit gains, handily surpassing liquor sales and underscoring the steady climb of the province's legal Cannabis trade. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, the corporation charged with distributing both products, ...
High Tide Expands Canna Cabana Footprint in Ontario and Alberta
CALGARY – High Tide, Inc. announced plans to open three new Canna Cabana stores in the coming weeks, adding dispensaries in North York and Etobicoke, Ontario, and Fort McMurray, Alberta. The move pushes the company's ...
Porter’s Five Forces Unpack Cannabis Sector Pressures: Insights for 2025 Investors
LOS ANGELES – The boards of multi-state operators and decision-makers orchestrating Cannabis deals, investors and analysts, the experts behind cultivation ops in emerging markets and the multilevel executives in our industry often turn to a ...
Trump’s Tariffs Drive Up Costs for U.S. Cannabis Businesses
LOS ANGELES – President Donald Trump's expanded tariff regime, rolled out in stages since February, is delivering a sharp cost increase to the U.S. Cannabis sector, which depends heavily on imported components for cultivation, packaging, ...
Jushi Secures $4M in Revised FVCBank Loan
BOCA RATON – Jushi Holdings Inc. has adjusted the terms of its secured loan with FVCBank, gaining an extra $4 million in funding while pushing back the repayment deadline and trimming interest costs. The changes, ...
Whiskey Maker Trims Footprint as Buyers Turn to Cannabis
SEATTLE – Heritage Distilling Company, a craft spirits producer based in the Pacific Northwest, disclosed plans this week to streamline its operations, pointing to changing buyer habits that favor Cannabis products over traditional liquor. The ...
Circle K Eyes National Expansion for Hemp THC Drinks in 2026
LOS ANGELES – Circle K, the convenience store chain with nearly 7,000 locations across the United States, disclosed plans this week to distribute hemp-derived THC beverages in up to 3,000 stores starting next year. The ...
Manitoba Cannabis Sales Accelerate, Leaving Liquor in the Rearview
WINNIPEG – Cannabis revenues in Manitoba posted double-digit gains, handily surpassing liquor sales and underscoring the steady climb of the province's legal Cannabis trade. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, the corporation charged with distributing both products, ...
Ohio Governor Urges Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products Targeting Youth
NEW YORK– In a decisive call to action, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine urged state lawmakers to ban "intoxicating hemp" products, including all delta-8 THC goods, amid concerns over their appeal to minors. This appeal comes ...
FDA Endorses Historic Shift in Cannabis Classification to Schedule III
LOS ANGELES- In a landmark development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advocated for a significant reclassification of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The agency proposed that cannabis be moved from ...
Exploring Cannabinoids in the Battle Against COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review
LOS ANGELES- In the ongoing quest to understand and combat COVID-19, a recent study titled “Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System in Early SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Long COVID-19,” presents intriguing possibilities offered by cannabinoids. Authored by ...
Filament Health Achieves Milestone with First Botanical Psilocybin Export to Australia
NEW YORK – Filament Health Corp. (OTCQB: FLHLF) (Cboe CA: FH) (FSE: 7QS), a trailblazer in the realm of natural psychedelic drug development, announced a significant milestone in its global expansion with the successful export of ...
DEA Proposes Increased Production Quotas for Cannabis and Psychedelics
LOS ANGELES- In a significant policy shift, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has proposed substantial increases in the production quotas for cannabis and various psychedelics for 2024. This move reflects a growing recognition of the ...
Numinus Wellness Inc. Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2024
NEW YORK – Numinus Wellness Inc. a mental health care emphasizing psychedelic-assisted therapies, has released its financial figures for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, ending November 30, 2023. The results reveal a nuanced ...
Rhode Island Explores Psilocybin Reform with a New Legislative Proposal
NEW TORK- In a significant legislative move, Rhode Island Representative Brandon Potter (D) has introduced a bill aimed at reforming the state's approach to psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms." The bill, H 7047, ...
Michigan’s Cannabis Industry Soars, Surpassing the GDP of 51 Nations in 2023
LOS ANGELES— Michigan's cannabis industry closed 2023 on a high, establishing itself as a national leader in cannabis sales. The state's robust cannabis market sold nearly $3.06 billion worth of medical and adult-use cannabis last ...
Canadian Cannabis Market Updates: A New Regulatory Shift in Ontario’s Cannabis Retail Landscape
TORONTO- Announced on November 30 and implemented on January 1, Ontario's cannabis market witnessed a significant policy change, allowing one company to operate up to 150 recreational cannabis stores—a notable increase from the previous cap ...
Pentagon Responds to Rising Overdose Deaths with New Drug Policy Initiatives
LOS ANGELES- In an unprecedented move, the Department of Defense is set to implement a new policy in 2024 to address the escalating issue of drug overdoses within the United States military. This initiative, prompted ...
Federal Scientists Advocate for Reclassifying Cannabis to Schedule III
LOS ANGELES-In a significant shift in federal policy, scientists from the Health and Human Services (HHS) have recommended reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance, as revealed in recently unredacted documents. ...
Exploring Cannabinoids as a Potential Treatment Avenue for COVID-19 and Long-COVID
LOS ANGELES- In a groundbreaking development in the ongoing battle against COVID-19, a team of Canadian researchers has presented a comprehensive review that suggests a potential therapeutic role for cannabinoids. The study, entitled “Cannabinoids and ...
Belgium’s Drug Policy Reform: A Deliberate Move Toward Decriminalization Inspired by Portugal’s Model
BRUSSELS- Belgium is currently considering significant reforms in its drug policy, a move inspired by Portugal’s successful decriminalization model. Ine Van Wymersch, Belgium’s National Drug Commissioner and a former prosecutor, is advocating for the decriminalization of ...
California Cannabis Regulators Issue Health-Related Recalls on Products
LOS ANGELES- In a statement released on Wednesday, the DCC outlined the details of two separate recalls involving cannabis products. The recalls underscore ongoing regulatory vigilance in the burgeoning cannabis industry, particularly in California, a ...
New York Cannabis Control Board Approves Two More Operators for Recreational Market
NEW YORK — In a remarkably swift meeting on Friday, the New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) made a significant decision, approving the transition of two additional multi-state operators (MSOs) from the medical to the ...
PSYC Corporation CEO Addresses Company Challenges and Future in Detailed Podcast Update
NEW YORK — PSYC Corporation , the parent company of Spotlight Media Corporation (SMC), a leader in media for emerging sectors like medicinal psychedelics, recently released a video podcast featuring CEO David Flores. The podcast, ...
Czech Republic Unveils Compromise Cannabis Regulation Draft Amid Diverse Political Views
PRAGUE— The Czech government recently released its anticipated draft regulations for cannabis cultivation and consumption on January 10, marking a significant, albeit tentative, step in cannabis policy reform. This draft, described as a "compromise version" ...
Washington D.C. Tightens Grip on Unlicensed Cannabis Gifting Shops with New Penalties
WASHINGTON — The Washington, D.C. District Council, in a decisive move, approved a measure on Tuesday to impose new penalties on unlicensed cannabis gifting shops. This bill, potentially effective this week, aims to regulate these ...
Thailand’s Backpedal on Cannabis: New Bill to Ban Recreational Use Amid Regulatory Challenges
WORLD- Thailand's journey with cannabis legalization has taken a sharp turn as the government proposes new regulations to curb what it perceives as unintended recreational use. A draft bill, introduced on January 9, aims to ...
Maine’s Cannabis Market Hits Record Highs
LOS ANGELES- The cannabis industry in Maine achieved a remarkable milestone in 2023, with retail revenues surpassing $200 million, despite a challenging backdrop of declining prices that have troubled operators. This surge represents a significant ...
Florida’s New Bill Proposes Limiting THC Potency
LOS ANGELES- In a significant move within the cannabis legislative landscape, Florida Representative Ralph Massullo introduced House Bill 1269, which proposes stringent limitations on THC potency in cannabis products. This bill, introduced on January 5 ...
VA to Explore Psychedelics for PTSD and Depression
LOS ANGELES- In a groundbreaking move, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is funding research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treating mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in veterans. ...
Maine’s Booming Cannabis Market Faces Challenges Amid Falling Prices
LOS ANGELES— Maine's regulated adult-use cannabis industry recorded over $200 million in sales in 2023, marking a significant 36% increase from the previous year. Despite these robust figures, released by the state Office of Cannabis ...
DEA Clarifies Legality of Psychedelic Mushroom Spores, Highlighting Regulatory Complexities
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently provided a crucial clarification on the legal status of psychedelic mushroom spores. According to a statement from Terrence Boos, Chief of the DEA's Drug and ...
West Virginia Eyes Cannabis Legalization in Fight Against Fentanyl Crisis
NEW YORK— As West Virginia's legislative session unfolds, the topics of cannabis legalization and the fentanyl crisis are taking center stage. Senate President Craig Blair, speaking at a press event on January 5, indicated that ...
