Legal Affairs
Louisiana Bill Would Tap Opioid Settlement Funds for Psychedelic Therapy Studies
BATON ROUGE – Louisiana lawmakers have advanced legislation that would let the state direct money from opioid lawsuit settlements toward clinical research on psychedelic-assisted therapy. Senate Bill 43, sponsored by Sen. Patrick McMath (R), would ...
India Awards First Public Funding for Cannabis Research in More Than 50 Years
NEW DELHI – The Indian government has awarded public funding to a Cannabis genetics project, the first such grant to a private company since the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act took effect in 1985. ...
Charlotte’s Web Reaches Deal with BAT Unit to Convert Debt into Equity
LOUISVILLE – Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc., the Colorado-based maker of CBD hemp extract products, announced it had reached an agreement with a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT) to convert a large convertible debenture into ...
Los Angeles City Council Advances a Tax Amnesty Program for Licensed Cannabis Businesses
LOS ANGELES – The City Council voted 13-0 to instruct staff to craft a tax amnesty program for more than 500 licensed Cannabis businesses that collectively owe approximately $400 million in back taxes, penalties, and ...
REVIEW: CannBev Summit-Recap from Brandon Bobart
MIAMI - The CannaBev Summit in Miami Beach took place at a pivotal moment for the hemp-derived THC beverage industry. The uncertainty referenced throughout the event is regulatory and political. Specifically, it centers on whether ...
What’s it Like Being a Black Entrepreneur in Cannabis?
COLUMBUS, OHIO- Although I was born and raised in Cleveland, my journey as a black entrepreneur in Cannabis didn’t start in a dispensary or at a grow facility. It actually started in culture, in music. ...
Week in Review: Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Highlights
LOS ANGELES – It's been another fortnight, and the numbers, the deals, and the science keep telling the same story: the Cannabis & Psychedelics space is not slowing down. A few from the MSOs pack ...
Louisiana Bill Would Tap Opioid Settlement Funds for Psychedelic Therapy Studies
BATON ROUGE – Louisiana lawmakers have advanced legislation that would let the state direct money from opioid lawsuit settlements toward clinical research on psychedelic-assisted therapy. Senate Bill 43, sponsored by Sen. Patrick McMath (R), would ...
India Awards First Public Funding for Cannabis Research in More Than 50 Years
NEW DELHI – The Indian government has awarded public funding to a Cannabis genetics project, the first such grant to a private company since the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act took effect in 1985. ...
Charlotte’s Web Reaches Deal with BAT Unit to Convert Debt into Equity
LOUISVILLE – Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc., the Colorado-based maker of CBD hemp extract products, announced it had reached an agreement with a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT) to convert a large convertible debenture into ...
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 ...
Psilera Strengthens Board with Neuroscience
TAMPA –Psilera, a biotechnology company specializing in novel treatments for complex neurological disorders, has announced the addition of Dr. Magali Haas, M.D., Ph.D., to its Board of Directors. Dr. Haas, with an illustrious career spanning ...
Ayr Wellness Expands Florida Investment with Increased Mortgage on Cultivation Facility
LOS ANGELES- In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the burgeoning Florida cannabis market, Ayr Wellness, a prominent multistate operator, has announced an $8.4 million increase in the mortgage for its Gainesville cultivation ...
Colorado Cannabis Cultivators Granted Expanded Access to New Genetics
NEW YORK- In a significant legislative update, Colorado's cannabis cultivators are set to benefit from an expanded array of genetic resources, thanks to the enactment of Senate Bill 23-271 in January. This move, part of ...
