Legal Affairs
Cannabis Rescheduling Hits Pause as DEA Shifts Gears
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The federal cannabis rescheduling saga, already a slow-burning drama, took a sharp turn this week as Chief Administrative Law Judge John J. Mulrooney announced his retirement, effective August 1, 2025. The exit, ...
Texas Hemp Ban Showdown or Reefer Madness 2.0?
AUSTIN – The Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs ignited a fiery debate on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during the first hearing of a special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott to address the ...
Trulieve Boosts Beverage Portfolio with Onward Expansion and Upward Launch
LOS ANGELES – Trulieve Cannabis Corp. is making waves in the cannabis industry with the expanded distribution of its premium THC-infused beverage, Onward, and the introduction of Upward, a new THC-infused energy drink line. Trulieve's ...
German Court Rules Prison Cells Qualify for Cannabis Possession Rules
LOS ANGELES- A Berlin appellate court (Kammergericht) has ruled that prisoners are legally permitted to possess up to 50 grams of cannabis in their cells for personal use, classifying prison quarters as the inmates’ “habitual residence.” ...
Hawaii Governor Vetoes Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Over Privacy Concerns
LOS ANGELES– Hawaii Governor Josh Green has vetoed House Bill 302 (HB 302), a measure aimed at expanding the state’s medical cannabis program, due to concerns over patient privacy provisions, his office confirmed on June 9, ...
New Zealand Delegation Led by Zoë Reece Targets Multibillion‑Dollar European Medicinal Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES- New Zealand trade delegation, including key export company Ora Pharm, is advancing into Europe’s growing medicinal cannabis market. CEO Zoë Reece is spearheading the mission, aiming to build clinical and commercial partnerships for cannabinoid-derived therapies ...
North Carolina Governor Proposes Cannabis Legalization to Curb Unregulated Hemp Market
LOS ANGELES- North Carolina Governor Josh Stein (D) has urged legalization and regulation of adult-use cannabis to address growing public health concerns surrounding the state’s unregulated hemp-derived THC market. In a video posted on X, ...
Cannabis Rescheduling Hits Pause as DEA Shifts Gears
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The federal cannabis rescheduling saga, already a slow-burning drama, took a sharp turn this week as Chief Administrative Law Judge John J. Mulrooney announced his retirement, effective August 1, 2025. The exit, ...
Texas Hemp Ban Showdown or Reefer Madness 2.0?
AUSTIN – The Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs ignited a fiery debate on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during the first hearing of a special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott to address the ...
Trulieve Boosts Beverage Portfolio with Onward Expansion and Upward Launch
LOS ANGELES – Trulieve Cannabis Corp. is making waves in the cannabis industry with the expanded distribution of its premium THC-infused beverage, Onward, and the introduction of Upward, a new THC-infused energy drink line. Trulieve's ...
New York City Business Owner Ordered to Forfeit $400,000 in Illegal Cannabis Sales and Unpaid Taxes
NEW YORK-- A business owner in New York City has been ordered to forfeit over $400,000 in illegal proceeds and unpaid taxes after illegally selling cannabis at multiple shops in Manhattan, according to the Associated ...
61% U.S. Voters Support Legalizing Psychedelic Therapies
SAN FRANCISCO --In a groundbreaking effort, the Berkeley Center for Psychedelic Studies (BCPS) has released the highly anticipated results of their first-ever study on the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. The study, conducted over a span ...
Philip Morris International Set to Invest Up to $650 Million in Israeli Cannabis Company
LOS ANGELES-- Philip Morris International Inc., the renowned tobacco company behind the iconic Marlboro brand, is set to make a substantial foray into the cannabis industry. With a strategic eye on pain management, Philip Morris ...
Green Thumb Reports Employee Death in Illinois Facility
CHICAGO--In a somber announcement, Green Thumb Industries Inc, a prominent U.S. cannabis producer, disclosed on Tuesday that one of its employees had tragically passed away at its Rock Island, Illinois facility last Friday. The news ...
New Study Challenges Link Between Cannabis Use and Psychosis
LOS ANGELES-- Opponents of cannabis and some mainstream media outlets have long claimed that cannabis is detrimental to human brain health, often suggesting a causal link between cannabis use and psychosis. However, a recent study ...
Stabilization and Rebound in U.S. Wholesale Cannabis Market
LOS ANGELES-- The U.S. cannabis wholesale market has shown signs of stabilization this year, following a significant decline in 2022, and has even experienced a modest rebound since last year, according to a recent report ...
Germany’s Adult-Use Cannabis Policy Takes Shape: What We Know So Far
LOS ANGELES-- Germany is making significant progress in shaping its adult-use cannabis policy, with key details emerging during a recent press conference. While some aspects still require further exploration, here is what we currently know ...
New Mexico Regulator Revokes Cannabis Retailer’s License for Out-of-State Sales
ALBUQUERQUE, In a groundbreaking move, the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department took decisive action last week by revoking the license of Paradise Distro LLC, a cannabis retailer based in Albuquerque. The license was rescinded ...
Canopy Growth Plans Share Consolidation Amid Nasdaq Listing Noncompliance
LOS ANGELES-- Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth has revealed its intention to seek approval for the consolidation of its shares after receiving a notification from the Nasdaq indicating its failure to meet the stock exchange's ...
ACT LAB Expands Operations with Acquisition of Florida Lab Assets from Green Scientific
LOS ANGELES-- ACT LAB, a lab testing company in the legal cannabis and hemp markets, has recently announced its successful regulatory approval and completion of the acquisition of Florida lab operations and associated assets from ...
Cannabis Companies Confront Operational Challenges Amidst Severe Weather
LOS ANGELES-- As severe weather conditions persist, cannabis companies spanning from Northern California to South Florida are grappling with new operational obstacles. The strain on power grids and the aftermath of historic flooding in parts ...
Aleafia Health and Red White & Bloom Brands Terminate Merger Amid Debenture Dispute
TORONTO — The anticipated merger between Canadian cannabis company Aleafia Health and U.S. multistate cannabis operator Red White & Bloom Brands has been called off, according to an announcement made by the companies. The proposed ...
Compass Pathways’ Psilocybin Treatment Shows Promise for Depression
LONDON-- London-based mental health care company, Compass Pathways (Nasdaq: CMPS), announced encouraging outcomes from a phase 2 clinical trial investigating the efficacy of its synthetic psilocybin treatment, COMP360, in combination with daily SSRI antidepressants for ...
Study: Cannabis Use Enhances ‘Runner’s High’ During Exercise
LOS ANGELES-Recent research published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research has shed light on an intriguing association between cannabis use and an enhanced running experience. According to the study's data, individuals who used cannabis ...
Canadian Cannabis Entrepreneurs Turn to Micro-Cultivation to Tackle Oversupply
TORONTO-- In response to a surplus of cannabis and declining prices within the Canadian cannabis industry, cannabis entrepreneurs are increasingly embracing smaller micro-cultivation facilities as a means to reduce costs and produce higher-quality cannabis. This ...
Week In Review: Cannabis & Psychedelic Sectors Diverge: TerrAscend Leads Cannabis Stocks, Canopy Growth Struggles, Awakn & Cybin Forge Ahead
LOS ANGELES- In the fast-paced world of cannabis and psychedelics, last week's developments & ''liquidity events'' have left investors and industry experts alike eagerly observing the unfolding landscape. These events have showcased both encouraging victories ...
Ohio Adds Irritable Bowel Syndrome to Medical Cannabis Qualifying Conditions
LOS ANGELES-- On July 12, the State Medical Board of Ohio announced its decision to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the state's list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. However, the board rejected the ...
Red Lake Nation to Open Minnesota’s First Native American Adult-Use Cannabis Store
LOS ANGELES --In a significant development for Minnesota's cannabis industry, the Red Lake Nation has voted to allow NativeCare Dispensary, an existing tribal medical cannabis dispensary, to commence sales to individuals aged 21 and older ...
Cannabis Industry Seeks Relief from Unfair Tax Burden of 280E
In a nod to the historic Boston Tea Party of 1773, cannabis company MariMed recently held the 'Boston 280E THC Party' in Boston Harbor, a unique event designed to protest Tax Code 280E. CEO and ...
North Carolina Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Faces Republican Opposition
LOS ANGELES-- Efforts to legalize medical cannabis in North Carolina have hit a roadblock, as the bill that gained bipartisan support in the state Senate earlier this year has been deemed unlikely to pass in ...
Michigan Civil Service Commission Votes to Lift Cannabis Drug Test Ban for Most State Employees
LOS ANGELES-- In a unanimous decision, the Michigan Civil Service Commission has voted to eliminate the prohibition on hiring most state employees who fail pre-employment drug tests for cannabis, as reported by MLive. This move ...
TerrAscend Secures $25 Million Commercial Loan to Reduce Debt and Lower Interest Expenses
LOS ANGELES-- TerrAscend Corp., a cannabis operator in North America, has successfully closed a commercial loan of $25 million with Stearns Bank. The loan proceeds will primarily be used to pay down existing debt with ...
Ukraine Parliament Gives Initial Approval to Medical Cannabis Legalization Proposal
KYIV-- The Ukraine Parliament has taken a significant step towards the legalization of medical cannabis by granting initial approval to a proposed legislation. The bill, which still requires potential amendments and a second reading, must ...
Record-Breaking Cannabis Sales in Massachusetts Reach $151.8 Million in June
BOSTON-- Massachusetts witnessed an extraordinary surge in cannabis sales during the month of June, with total transactions reaching a remarkable $151.8 million, as reported by state figures. This impressive figure consists of $132.8 million in ...
States Collaborate with Federal Regulators in Sharing Cannabis Data for Rescheduling Review
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant development, several states with medical cannabis programs have collaborated with U.S. health regulators to provide crucial data regarding cannabis use and its impact on patients. This information, including details about ...
