Legal Affairs
Jushi Sues Pennsylvania Retailers Over Unregulated Hemp-Derived THC Products
PHILADELPHIA – Jushi Holdings Inc. has initiated legal action against 10 hemp companies in Pennsylvania, alleging they sell intoxicating products disguised as legal hemp that violate state laws and erode profits for licensed operators. The complaint, ...
STUDY: Cannabis Consumers Engage in Greater Levels of Physical Exercise
OKLAHOMA CITY–Middle-aged adults are more likely to engage in physical activities on days when they also consume cannabis, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. Researchers affiliated with the University of Oklahoma assessed the relationship between cannabis use ...
Agrify Corp Rebrands to RYTHM Inc Following $50M Green Thumb Brands Portfolio Acquisition
CHICAGO – Agrify Corporation has acquired a portfolio of intellectual property from Green Thumb Industries (GTI) for $50 million, including cannabis brands like RYTHM, Dogwalkers, Beboe, incredibles, &Shine, Doctor Solomon’s, Good Green, and Señorita. Concurrently, ...
Cannabis Rescheduling Omitted from Cole’s Priorities, Raising Questions About Trump’s Stance
LOS ANGELES – In a surprising turn, newly appointed DEA administrator Terrance Cole has sidelined Cannabis rescheduling, despite pledging it as a top priority during his April 2025 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. According to a ...
New York’s Licensing Blunder
NEW YORK – NY’s adult-use cannabis market, now boasting 436 licensed dispensaries [a 93-store increase since late 2024] has hit a snag. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) recently acknowledged a critical error in its ...
Massachusetts Psychiatric Society Backs Psilocybin Decriminalization in Historic Move
BOSTON – In a groundbreaking development for psychedelic policy reform, the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society (MPS) has publicly endorsed legislation to decriminalize psilocybin, marking the first time a branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has ...
THC Levels Vary Across Plant Layers, Study Reveals
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA – A landmark study published in Scientific Reports by researchers from Pure Sunfarms Corporation has provided the first in-depth analysis of total THC variability in greenhouse-cultivated Cannabis. The research tackles a critical ...
Jushi Sues Pennsylvania Retailers Over Unregulated Hemp-Derived THC Products
PHILADELPHIA – Jushi Holdings Inc. has initiated legal action against 10 hemp companies in Pennsylvania, alleging they sell intoxicating products disguised as legal hemp that violate state laws and erode profits for licensed operators. The complaint, ...
STUDY: Cannabis Consumers Engage in Greater Levels of Physical Exercise
OKLAHOMA CITY–Middle-aged adults are more likely to engage in physical activities on days when they also consume cannabis, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. Researchers affiliated with the University of Oklahoma assessed the relationship between cannabis use ...
Agrify Corp Rebrands to RYTHM Inc Following $50M Green Thumb Brands Portfolio Acquisition
CHICAGO – Agrify Corporation has acquired a portfolio of intellectual property from Green Thumb Industries (GTI) for $50 million, including cannabis brands like RYTHM, Dogwalkers, Beboe, incredibles, &Shine, Doctor Solomon’s, Good Green, and Señorita. Concurrently, ...
FARRIS FORWARD: Navigating the Volatile Waters of the Cannabis Industry: A Guide for Operators
FARRIS FORWARD: Welcome to Farris Forward, a new series of articles curated by Jon Farris and distributed by Highly Capitalized. The series highlights the insights and strategies being deployed by industry insiders and experts, offering ...
The Cannabis Debate in Texas: A Clash of Economic Potential and Cultural Values
DALLAS -In the midst of a shifting national perspective on cannabis legalization, Texas finds itself at a pivotal juncture, where economic prospects are being meticulously weighed against deeply entrenched cultural values and public safety concerns. ...
Local Initiatives Pave the Way for Potential Statewide Cannabis Decriminalization in Texas
DALLAS- In the heart of Texas, a state steeped in a tradition of independence and self-reliance, a grassroots movement is taking shape that could potentially alter the legal landscape surrounding cannabis possession and use. Several ...
Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Unites Industry Titans and Advocates in Chicago
CHICAGO–Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the world's largest and most successful cannabis investing and finance event, will return to Chicago on Sept. 27-28, 2023, at the Magnificent Mile Marriott in the heart of the Windy City. ...
Massachusetts Cannabis Sales Soar to $5 Billion Amid Regional Demand Surge
In a remarkable display of the burgeoning cannabis industry's strength, Massachusetts reported a milestone in adult-use cannabis sales, hitting the $5 billion mark on August 31. This achievement comes on the heels of record-breaking monthly ...
MindMed Advances in Anxiety Treatment with Successful Phase 2b Study Enrollment
LOS ANGELES -- In a significant development in the biopharmaceutical sector, MindMed, a clinical-stage company listed on NASDAQ and NEO has successfully wrapped up the enrollment and dosing phase of a critical study, MMED008. This ...
Floridians Show Significant Support for Adult-Use Cannabis, Poll Finds
LOS ANGELES-- A recent survey conducted by the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University has revealed that a substantial majority of Floridians are in favor of legalizing adult-use cannabis, with a significant portion ...
Psyched Wellness Secures $4.5 Million in Second Tranche of Financing, Aims to Expand Amanita Muscaria Product Line
LOS ANGELES-- Psyched Wellness Ltd., A player in the functional mushroom sector, has successfully closed a second tranche of its non-brokered private placement, securing gross proceeds of $4.5 million, as per the company's recent announcement. ...
New York Opens the Door for Established Cannabis Operators to Enter the Adult-Use Market
NEW YORK-- In a significant move that could reshape the cannabis landscape in New York, state regulators voted on Tuesday to permit existing medical cannabis operators to apply for adult-use retail licenses. This decision potentially ...
Amsterdam’s Cannabis Tourism Dwindles, Paving the Way for New Global Hotspots
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant shift, Amsterdam, which has long been a hub for cannabis tourism, is recalibrating its stance on the industry amid rising concerns over crime and public disorder. This change is not ...
Filament Health Partners with Reset Pharma to Explore Psychedelic-Based Treatment for Cancer Patients
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant development in the burgeoning field of psychedelic medicine, Filament Health, a publicly traded company, has entered into a licensing agreement with biotech firm Reset Pharmaceuticals Inc. The collaboration aims to ...
Colorado’s Natural Medicine Division to Host Listening Sessions on Psychedelic Legalization Rollout
LOS ANGELES-- In a move to foster community engagement and gather diverse perspectives, the Colorado Natural Medicine Division, operating under the Department of Revenue, has announced a series of "listening sessions" scheduled throughout September and ...
Cannabis Legalization in Texas: A Complex Landscape Rooted in Tradition and New Perspectives
DALLAS- In the midst of a nationwide shift towards the acceptance of cannabis use, Texas remains a bastion of resistance, holding firmly to its stringent regulations surrounding the substance. As the nation grapples with evolving ...
California Poised To Be Third U.S. State to Decriminalize Psychedelics
LOS ANGELES–California is poised to become the third state in the nation to decriminalize the use of psychedelics, following the State Assembly's recent approval of a bill. This legislation would grant individuals aged 21 and ...
Building a Robust Brand: A Blueprint for Success in the Cannabis Industry
LOS ANGELES-- In a rapidly evolving market, cannabis companies are urged to adopt a nuanced approach to brand building, harmonizing seasoned cannabis expertise with established business principles to foster growth and sustainability. Steve Goldner, a ...
Cannabis ETF MSOS Skyrockets Following HHS Rescheduling Recommendation; Valuations Surge
NEW YORK— The cannabis industry has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, and the latest surge comes on the heels of a groundbreaking announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ...
California Poised To Be Third U.S. State to Decriminalize Psychedelics
LOS ANGELES–California is poised to become the third state in the nation to decriminalize the use of psychedelics, following the State Assembly's recent approval of a bill. This legislation would grant individuals aged 21 and ...
North Carolina’s Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Votes to Advance Cannabis Reform
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant move that could potentially reshape the cannabis landscape in North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has voted in favor of advancing cannabis reform within their territory. The ...
Cannabis Legalization Linked to Decline in Youth Treatment Referrals, New Studies Suggest
LOS ANGELES-- Recent data published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine indicates a decline in cannabis treatment referrals for young individuals following the legalization of the substance. The study, conducted by researchers at Temple University, ...
California Joins Growing List of States Reevaluating the Legal Status of Psychedelic Substances
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant legislative move, California lawmakers have granted final approval to a bill that seeks to decriminalize the personal possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms and several other plant-based psychedelics, including DMT ...
NY Cannabis Licensing Stalled Amid Legal Disputes
LOS ANGELES -- in a recent development that adds to the ongoing complexities surrounding the launch of licensed businesses in New York's adult-use cannabis market, Albany County Supreme Court Judge Kevin R. Bryant has reversed ...
Cannabis Workers Seal Landmark Deal in Illinois
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant development in the burgeoning cannabis industry, workers at three Rise dispensaries in Illinois have successfully ratified their inaugural collective bargaining agreement. Rise, a subsidiary of the multi-state operator Green Thumb ...
US Senator Promises Hearing on Cannabis SAFE Banking in Next Six Weeks
WASHINGTON, D.C.–In a significant development for the cannabis industry and investors, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced on Monday that he has engaged in discussions with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) concerning the ...
Maryland’s Blossoming Cannabis Market Navigates Growth and Controversy Amidst Federal Scrutiny
LOS ANGELES-- In a burgeoning market, Maryland's cannabis sector has reported a robust $91.4 million in sales this August, marking the state's second month of commercial adult-use retail, according to data from the Maryland Cannabis ...
California’s 2024 Ballot Initiative: A Turning Point for Psychedelic Mushroom Legalization?
LOS ANGELES-- In a bold move that could potentially reshape the legal landscape surrounding psychedelic substances in California, activists are rallying to introduce a question concerning the legalization of psychedelic mushrooms on the 2024 ballots. ...
