Legal Affairs
Analysis: The Quiet Revolution in U.S. Cannabis: Efficiency Is the New Growth Engine
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Cannabis industry is evolving—but not in the way headlines suggest. Yes, national retail sales remain strong at a $32 billion annualized pace. And yes, states like New York and Ohio ...
Ayr Wellness Faces Drastic Restructuring as Noteholders Take Control
LOS ANGELES – Ayr Wellness Inc., a prominent player in the U.S. Cannabis industry, is set to undergo a seismic restructuring that could mark the end of the company as it exists today. On July ...
Verano Reimagines Cannabis Retail with Bodega-Style Store in Phoenix
PHOENIX – Verano Holdings Corp., a Chicago-based multistate Cannabis operator, introduced a novel retail concept with its "bodega-style" dispensary at the Zen Leaf Phoenix-Cave Creek location. This innovative store offers a new take on the ...
Colorado Governor Jared Polis Issues Pardons for Psilocybin and Psilocin Convictions
LOS ANGELES-- the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver, Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order granting full, unconditional pardons to individuals convicted under state law for possession of psilocybin and psilocin—substances that became legal for ...
Compass Pathways’ Psilocybin-Based Therapy Reaches Key Milestone in Depression Trial
LOS ANGELES- Compass Pathways has announced that its lead candidate, COMP360, achieved the primary endpoint in a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating its efficacy in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In the COMP005 study, involving 258 participants ...
Analysis: What’s Next for Texas THC Policy After Gov. Abbott’s Veto?
DALLAS - In a move that stunned the Texas political establishment and delighted the state’s burgeoning hemp industry, Governor Greg Abbott last weekend vetoed Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), a measure that would have banned ...
Maryland Governor Expands Cannabis Pardons
LOS ANGELES- Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced an additional round of approximately 6,938 pardons for individuals previously convicted of simple cannabis possession, following a 2024 executive order that granted clemency to over 175,000 convictions ...
Analysis: The Quiet Revolution in U.S. Cannabis: Efficiency Is the New Growth Engine
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Cannabis industry is evolving—but not in the way headlines suggest. Yes, national retail sales remain strong at a $32 billion annualized pace. And yes, states like New York and Ohio ...
Ayr Wellness Faces Drastic Restructuring as Noteholders Take Control
LOS ANGELES – Ayr Wellness Inc., a prominent player in the U.S. Cannabis industry, is set to undergo a seismic restructuring that could mark the end of the company as it exists today. On July ...
Verano Reimagines Cannabis Retail with Bodega-Style Store in Phoenix
PHOENIX – Verano Holdings Corp., a Chicago-based multistate Cannabis operator, introduced a novel retail concept with its "bodega-style" dispensary at the Zen Leaf Phoenix-Cave Creek location. This innovative store offers a new take on the ...
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Shares Views on Cannabis Legalization Amid Presidential Aspirations
LOS ANGELES— Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, perceived by many as a strong GOP contender against Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination, voiced strong concerns about the legalization of cannabis during an Iowa campaign stop ...
UK’s Home Office Delay in CBD Regulatory Framework Draws Criticism from Industry Trade Group
LONDON — The Association of the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI), a key trade group in the United Kingdom, has voiced its concerns over the prolonged delay by the country's Home Office in establishing a clear regulatory ...
Detroit Businessman Pleads Guilty in Cannabis Licensing Bribery Case
DETROIT — John Dawood Dalaly, a prominent businessman from the Detroit area, has pleaded guilty to bribing a leading state cannabis regulator, seeking approval for dispensary licenses. Federal prosecutors have recommended that Dalaly face a ...
New York’s Cannabis Licensing Controversy: A Deeper Look
NEW YORK-- In a surprise turn of events, New York's journey to cannabis legalization faced a significant speed bump. A recent decision by a New York Supreme Court Judge has thrown the state's budding cannabis ...
Major Shift in U.S. Cannabis Policy on the Horizon
LOS ANGELES-- On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Joe Biden administration formally recommended to its counterparts at the Department of Justice that cannabis be moved lower on the list ...
The Bahamas Moves to Establish Medical Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES— In a pivotal stride toward diversifying its economy, The Bahamas has rolled out a comprehensive package of 11 legislative bills, aiming to decriminalize cannabis for medical, research, and religious uses. This move establishes ...
The Promise and Potential of Psilocybin
LOS ANGELES-- The rapid emergence of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, has brought with it new hope for individuals struggling with various mental ...
U.S. Health Department Urges Easing Rules on Cannabis, Citing Health Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. –In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed a relaxation of regulations surrounding cannabis, according to a report from Bloomberg News. The move comes as part ...
Nebraska Governor Rejects Proposed Changes to Law Enforcement’s Cannabis Usage Rules
LOS ANGELES— A proposal aimed at reducing the time frame that law enforcement officer recruits in Nebraska must abstain from cannabis use prior to training has been vetoed by Governor Jim Pillen. The measure sought ...
Cybin Acquires U.K.-Based Small Pharma Amid Emerging Trends in Psychedelics Industry
NEW YORK — In what could be described as the burgeoning movements within the psychedelics sector, Cybin , a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm, has announced its intention to acquire U.K.'s Small Pharma. This move sparks dialogue ...
Irwin Naturals Posts Loss Amid New Ventures in Psychedelics and Cannabis
LOS ANGELES-- Despite its bold moves and positive undertones about future prospects, Irwin Naturals' shift towards psychedelics and its increased commitment to the cannabis sector isn't devoid of challenges. Regulatory uncertainty, intense competition, and a ...
Planet 13’s Strategic Move: Acquires VidaCann to Boost its Footprint in Florida
LAS VEGAS, NV — In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the booming Florida cannabis market, multi-state vertically integrated cannabis company, Planet 13 Holdings Inc., announced a membership interest purchase agreement to take ...
PharmaCielo Ltd. Reports Q2 2023 Financial Results
TORONTO — PharmaCielo Ltd., a figure in the cannabis industry based out of Canada and holding substantial operations in Colombia via PharmaCielo Colombia Holdings S.A.S., revealed its financial results for the quarter concluding on June ...
Canadian Cannabis Companies Rethink U.S. Hemp Market Strategy
NEW YORK-- Canadian cannabis titans have long eyed the American hemp-derived CBD market as a golden opportunity, particularly following the legalization of low-THC hemp in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill. But as enthusiasm for cannabis ...
Cannabis Infused Products Boost Minnesota’s Tax Revenue
LOS ANGELES-- The state of Minnesota has experienced a significant increase in tax revenue following the legalization of cannabis-infused products such as gummies and beverages. A recent report from the state Department of Revenue, as ...
Evolving Cannabis Retail Landscape Sees Shifts in Billion-Dollar State Markets
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. cannabis industry, still in its nascent stages, witnessed notable shifts in 2023 with a projected reduction in states reaching the billion-dollar mark in retail sales, according to a comprehensive report ...
Michigan’s Cannabis Industry Sees Robust Growth, Generating Billions in Sales
LOS ANGELES-- In a remarkable testament to the growth potential of regulated markets, Michigan's cannabis industry has burgeoned into a financial powerhouse, with sales reaching multi-billion dollar figures. Recent data sheds light on a sector ...
Planet 13 Holdings Announce Florida Expansion Plans with $50 Million Acquisition of VidaCann
Planet 13 Holdings, based in Las Vegas, has unveiled a substantial $48.9 million agreement to acquire the comprehensive cannabis enterprise of VidaCann, a Florida-based company. This acquisition encompasses a network of 26 medical cannabis dispensaries, ...
Missouri Adjusts Cannabis Regulations for Foster Parents
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant policy move, Missouri's Department of Social Services has allowed foster parents in the state to legally possess and cultivate cannabis. The emergency rule, put in place last week, aligns the ...
Declining Prices Boost Cannabis Sales in British Columbia
LOS ANGELES — As cannabis prices in British Columbia continue their descent, the province is experiencing a boom in sales, according to the latest wholesale quarterly report covering April to June 2023. Released data offers ...
Ohio Set to Decide on Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization this November
LOS ANGELES-– Ohioans will have the chance to make their state the 24th in the U.S. to authorize adult-use cannabis, after state officials greenlit ballot language for a November vote. The Ohio Ballot Board, comprising ...
Texas Cities Pivot Toward Cannabis Decriminalization Amidst Statewide Stalemate
LOS ANGELES — Several Texas cities, in a progressive stride, are taking individual steps toward decriminalizing cannabis possession, a move seen as a response to the state Senate's reluctance to pass a House-endorsed bill centered ...
Swiss Pilot Program Explores Regulated Cannabis Sales
ZURICH — In an innovative exploration of the cannabis market, Switzerland has launched a pilot program named “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility.” The program, which began on August 22, will be a three-year study ...
New Guidelines Published for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
LOS ANGELES-- In a landmark move, the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association (APPA) and BrainFutures have released what's being heralded as the first set of professional practice guidelines for psychedelic-assisted therapy. This step comes at a ...
Legal Debate Continues Over Alabama Medical Cannabis Licences
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The road to medical cannabis access in Alabama remains blocked as a legal battle unfolds over the methods employed in selecting companies for the potentially lucrative licenses. In the heart of Montgomery ...
