Legal Affairs
Cannabis Earnings Outlook Dims as Q2 2025 Looms, Latest Analysis
LOS ANGELES – As the Cannabis industry braces for Q2 2025 earnings releases in early August, a sobering picture emerges from Viridian Capital Advisors’ Chart of the Week. Ten of twelve tracked companies are projected ...
Cash, Crime, and Cannabis: Attorneys General Push Congress on SAFER Banking Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.–In a rare show of bipartisan unity, attorneys general from 32 states and U.S. territories issued a pointed appeal to Congress on Thursday: pass the SAFER Banking Act of 2025 — and finally bring ...
Cresco Labs Exits California Cannabis Market in Bold Strategic Pivot
LOS ANGELES – Cresco Labs Inc. (OTCQX: CRLBF), a multistate cannabis operator, announced its withdrawal from California, the world’s largest cannabis market. This move aligns with the company's broader strategic restructuring aimed at stabilizing its ...
Aurora Cannabis Denies Acquisition of MedLeaf Therapeutics
LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc. publicly refuted recent reports claiming it was acquiring New Zealand–based MedLeaf Therapeutics. In a statement issued on June 18, 2025, the Edmonton-headquartered company confirmed it “has not entered into any ...
MJ and MSOS ETFs Signal High Upside on U.S. Legalization Outlook
LOS ANGELES- Investment in cannabis-focused ETFs such as Amplify’s MJ and AdvisorShares’ MSOS reflects growing investor anticipation of federal legalization-driven expansion, even amid pronounced volatility and structural headwinds. Analysts argue that rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I ...
Legislative Wave Follows Growth of Hemp-Infused Beverage Market
LOS ANGELES- The market for hemp-derived cannabis beverages has expanded rapidly since the 2018 federal legalization of hemp, reaching an estimated value of over $1 billion today and projected to exceed $30 billion by 2035. ...
Canadian Cannabis Producers Expand Exports
LOS ANGELES- Canada’s licensed cannabis sector continues its move toward international markets, driven by strong global demand, especially for medical cannabis. During the 2023–24 fiscal year, Canada exported approximately CA$218 million of medical cannabis for commercial ...
Cannabis Earnings Outlook Dims as Q2 2025 Looms, Latest Analysis
LOS ANGELES – As the Cannabis industry braces for Q2 2025 earnings releases in early August, a sobering picture emerges from Viridian Capital Advisors’ Chart of the Week. Ten of twelve tracked companies are projected ...
Cash, Crime, and Cannabis: Attorneys General Push Congress on SAFER Banking Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.–In a rare show of bipartisan unity, attorneys general from 32 states and U.S. territories issued a pointed appeal to Congress on Thursday: pass the SAFER Banking Act of 2025 — and finally bring ...
Cresco Labs Exits California Cannabis Market in Bold Strategic Pivot
LOS ANGELES – Cresco Labs Inc. (OTCQX: CRLBF), a multistate cannabis operator, announced its withdrawal from California, the world’s largest cannabis market. This move aligns with the company's broader strategic restructuring aimed at stabilizing its ...
Exploring Cannabis as a Potential Tool to Manage Opioid Cravings Amid a Drug Toxicity Crisis
LOS ANGELES–In a bid to address the escalating harm from the drug toxicity crisis, Canadian researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), found innovative strategies that harness the potential of cannabis to curb opioid ...
Do You Need To ‘Trip’ To Get The Full Effects of Psilocybin?
LOS ANGELES–As psilocybin enters the list of new medical applications in Australia, a thought-provoking debate unfolds: is the enchanting world of hallucinations, or ''tripping,'' integral to its efficacy, or can we unlock the benefits of ...
Germany’s Cannabis Endeavors Navigate Potential Hurdles Within EU Laws
BERLIN–In Germany's persistent pursuit of cannabis reform, an unexpected twist has emerged: the country's aspirations might find themselves at odds with European Union regulations, as highlighted by the German parliamentary research unit. Of particular concern ...
Synthetic Psilocybin Shows Potential in Treating Anorexia Nervosa
LOS ANGELES-- In the realm of psychiatric disorders, Anorexia Nervosa stands out as a particularly challenging condition to treat, mainly due to the resistance many patients exhibit towards change. Unlike other mental health issues where ...
Judge Issues Restraining Order Amidst Controversy Over New York Cannabis Licensing
NEW YORK–In a significant legal development, a state Supreme Court judge has taken action against the New York state Office of Cannabis Management following a lawsuit that raises concerns about the equitable distribution of cannabis ...
Ohio Cannabis Legalization Effort Gathers 10 Times Required Signatures
LOS ANGELES-- The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA), an Ohio-based coalition sponsoring a statutory measure to legalize adult-use cannabis, submitted an additional 6,545 signatures to Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office in Columbus ...
Disabled Veterans Sue NY Cannabis Regulators Over Licensing System
NEW YORK-- A group of disabled military veterans has lodged a lawsuit in New York against cannabis regulators, claiming that their licensing system for certain social equity applicants breaches the state constitution. The lawsuit, filed ...
New York City Takes the Crown as The World’s Cannabis Capital, Global Study Reveals
NEW YORK–In a recent revelation that may raise more than a few eyebrows, New York City has ascended to the apex of global cannabis consumption, a startling position for a metropolis renowned for its fast-paced ...
Cannabis Research Firm MMJ International Holdings Prepares Lawsuit Against DEA for Alleged Violations of Federal Law
LOS ANGELES-- MMJ International Holdings Corp, a cannabis research company, is gearing up to file a lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing the agency of failing to adhere to federal law regarding the ...
Canadian Cannabis Producer Cannara Biotech Reports Profitable Quarter
MONTREAL–Cannara Biotech, a prominent cannabis producer based in Montreal, has unveiled a notable achievement, reporting a profit of 2.9 million Canadian dollars ($2.2 million) in the recently concluded third quarter that terminated in May, as ...
Florida AG Says Adult-Use Legalization Campaign is Actually a Trulieve Monopoly Push
MIAMI–A campaign advocating the legalization of cannabis in Florida, sponsored chiefly by Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a notable multistate operator, has come under the scrutiny of the state attorney general, who alleges that it disguises a ...
MSO Story Cannabis Co. Acquires Four New Cannabis Stores in Arizona
LOS ANGELES-Story Cannabis Co., a prominent multistate operator, has successfully secured a substantial foothold in the Arizona cannabis market by acquiring four coveted vertically integrated licenses from Devi Holdings. These licenses, which were previously under ...
FDA Issues First Ever Guidance for Research of Psychedelics
NEW YORK-In a noteworthy stride toward potential shifts in medical practices, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced a draft guidance that could pave the way for researchers to explore the use of psychedelics ...
South Dakota Resident Initiates Effort to Repeal State’s Medical Cannabis Law
LOS ANGELES-- Newell resident Travis Ismay has launched an ambitious effort to convince voters to repeal South Dakota's medical cannabis law, approved with overwhelming support in 2020. However, Ismay may face an uphill battle, as ...
Oklahoma Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Cannabis Business Fee Increase
LOS ANGELES— The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of cannabis companies challenging a large business fee increase that took effect in June. The companies argue that the ...
Minnesota Leads in Low-Dose THC Beverages as Cannabis Market Soars
LOS ANGELES— The unanticipated success of low-dose, hemp-derived THC beverages has made Minnesota the hottest market for such products, not only in the United States but potentially worldwide, surpassing the markets in Canada and Europe. ...
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Reaffirms Prohibition on Medical Cannabis Recommendations to Veterans
LOS ANGELES— The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently issued an updated directive reiterating its doctors' prohibition from issuing medical cannabis recommendations to military veterans. The revised Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidance aligns ...
MariMed Inc. Reports Financial Results for Q2 2023
LOS ANGELES-- MariMed Inc., a multi-state operator in the cannabis industry, has unveiled its financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2023. Despite facing headwinds in the industry and consumer spending, the company's ...
Colorado Governor Jared Polis Applauds Legalization of Cannabis and Psychedelics
LOS ANGELES--In a recent interview with John Stossel, Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed his positive views on the state's moves to legalize cannabis and psychedelics, stating that the experience has been "very good." Governor Polis, ...
Pelorus Capital Group Achieves Historic Milestone with First Cannabis-Linked Real Estate Securitization
LOS ANGELES-- In a groundbreaking announcement today, Pelorus Capital Group, a prominent player in the specialty-use cannabis real estate lending market, has successfully priced the first-ever securitization for cannabis-linked real estate. Utilizing commercial mortgage-backed securities ...
Canadian LP. Acquisition of State-of-the-Art Cannabis Cultivation and Processing Facility Announced
LOS ANGELES-- After months of negotiations, a purchase agreement has been signed for the acquisition of a prominent indoor cannabis cultivation and processing facility from a public Canadian LP. The facility is considered one of ...
Illinois Adult-Use Cannabis Sales in June Hit $136 Million, Third Highest on Record
LOS ANGELES-- In June, adult-use cannabis sales in Illinois reached an impressive milestone, totaling $136 million, according to data from the Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer (CROO). This marked the highest sales total of the year ...
New York Officials Shut Down Unlicensed Cannabis Shops in Western Counties
NEW YORK-- New York state authorities carried out a crackdown on what they deemed as seven unlicensed cannabis dispensaries in the western region on Monday. The establishments, known as the "I'm Stuck" shops, located in ...
Illinois Enacts Law to Support Smooth Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
LOS ANGELES--Illinois has taken a significant step towards facilitating the reintegration of individuals who have been released from prison into society. Senate Bill 423, signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) on Friday, aims ...
Arkansas Enacts Law Allowing Medical Cannabis Patients to Obtain Concealed Carry Licenses
LOS ANGELES-- On Tuesday, a new law officially took effect in Arkansas, clarifying that medical cannabis patients in the state can obtain concealed carry licenses for firearms. The bill, signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders ...
