Legal Affairs
Virginia Adult-Use Applications Expected in 2026: Operators Should Begin Structuring Now
NEW YORK- Virginia’s adult-use Cannabis legislation is now in reconciliation after both the House (HB 642) and Senate (SB 542) advanced competing sales frameworks. For operators, the question is no longer whether retail will launch—but ...
SAM in Action: How Dark Money Fuels Prohibitionists Attacks
LOS ANGELES – A noticeable uptick in anti-Cannabis content has appeared on social platforms lately, flooding threads with posts on scromiting, schizophrenia, psychosis risks, outdated research, recycled study headlines, and new ballot proposals surfacing in ...
CMS Finalizes Rule for Medicare CBD Coverage Pilot
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized regulations enabling a pilot program for federal health insurance coverage of hemp-derived CBD products, according to a recent statement from an executive at ...
Cannabis Market’s Hidden Scale: New Estimates Point to $90B U.S. Potential
LOS ANGELES – Viridian Capital Advisors' latest Chart of the Week dives into recreational Cannabis sales across nine mature markets (Michigan, Montana, Alaska, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada) to gauge true consumer ...
Republican State AGs Challenge Trump’s Cannabis Rescheduling Directive
LOS ANGELES – A coalition of Republican attorneys general from eight states has publicly rejected President Donald Trump's recent Executive Order to reschedule Cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act, citing persistent risks to public safety ...
Banks Still Hesitant on Expanding Services for Cannabis Businesses Post-Trump Rescheduling Order
LOS ANGELES – President Donald Trump's Executive Order fast-tracked the move to reschedule Cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act, aiming to ease research barriers and tax deductions for state-legal operators. Yet even as this policy ...
Atai Gains Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Spot
NEW YORK – AtaiBeckley N.V., the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm born from the November merger of atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech, has secured a place in the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (NBI), a move that underscores ...
Virginia Adult-Use Applications Expected in 2026: Operators Should Begin Structuring Now
NEW YORK- Virginia’s adult-use Cannabis legislation is now in reconciliation after both the House (HB 642) and Senate (SB 542) advanced competing sales frameworks. For operators, the question is no longer whether retail will launch—but ...
SAM in Action: How Dark Money Fuels Prohibitionists Attacks
LOS ANGELES – A noticeable uptick in anti-Cannabis content has appeared on social platforms lately, flooding threads with posts on scromiting, schizophrenia, psychosis risks, outdated research, recycled study headlines, and new ballot proposals surfacing in ...
CMS Finalizes Rule for Medicare CBD Coverage Pilot
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized regulations enabling a pilot program for federal health insurance coverage of hemp-derived CBD products, according to a recent statement from an executive at ...
Canada Marks Five Years of Cannabis Legalization: A Look Back and Ahead
LOS ANGELES- October 17 marks a momentous occasion for Canada, as it celebrates the fifth anniversary of cannabis legalization, a pioneering move for an industrialized nation and one that has seen cannabis contributing roughly 0.5% ...
Cannabis and COVID-19: New Study Reveals Potential Benefits
LOS ANGELES- In the wake of the global pandemic, a novel study has shed light on the potential advantages of cannabis for those who contracted COVID-19. Published in the reputable CHEST Journal, the study suggests ...
Governor Gavin Newsom Faces a Crucial Decision on Psychedelic Decriminalization
LOS ANGELES- The movement to decriminalize psychedelics in California, a campaign spanning over six decades, stands at a pivotal juncture. SB58, the bill that seeks to decriminalize various natural psychedelics and pave the way for ...
Colombia Pivots Drug Policy Amid Global Changes
LOS ANGELES- In a bold move reflecting the changing landscape of the worldwide narcotics struggle, Colombia has introduced a fresh drug policy, signaling a significant departure from traditional enforcement-centered methods. President Gustavo Petro accentuated the ...
New York Extends Cannabis Licensing Application Deadline Amid Mounting Concerns and Legal Obstacles
NEW YORK- Amid a flood of applications and growing uncertainty from prospective cannabis entrepreneurs, New York’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB) has granted a two-week extension for cannabis business license applications. Originally slated to close on ...
Legal fights Surround Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Licensing Process
LOS ANGELES-The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) finds itself amidst legal turbulence due to challenges related to its medical cannabis licensing process. Background: Verano Holdings Corp. recently took legal action against the AMCC, criticizing the ...
Maryland Judge Supports Hemp Producers Against Restrictive Licensing Scheme
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant ruling, a Maryland judge rejected a temporary restraining order against hemp producers, affirming that hemp products remained legal as per the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill. The lawsuit was ...
Cybin and Small Pharma Seal the Deal with Shareholder Approval
LOS ANGELES-- In a recent development in the clinical-stage psychedelics sector, Canada's Cybin Inc. (CYBN) and the UK's Small Pharma Inc. (DMTTF) have made significant progress in their merger plans. Following their annual general and ...
Canadian Cannabis Act Faces Critical Review
NEW YORK— Following the implementation of the Cannabis Act in 2018, Health Canada's recently released "What We Heard Report" paints a complex picture of the nation’s adult-use cannabis industry. While the legalization of cannabis for ...
Colorado’s Cannabis Sales Show Decline Amid Oversupply and Economic Downturn
LOS ANGELES- Colorado's cannabis market, which has seen considerable growth since its initiation in 2014, is currently facing a decline, according to the latest sales report by the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR). Highlights from ...
4Front Ventures Secures $10 Million Credit Facility to Amplify Illinois Operations
LOS ANGELES-- 4Front Ventures Corp. a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator and retailer, has publicized its recent procurement of a $10 million senior secured credit facility agreement. The agreement is with ALT Debt II, LP, ...
FARRIS FORWARD: Your Guiding Light: 7 Steps to Create Core Values for Your Organization
LOS ANGELES–Welcome to Farris Forward, a new series of articles by Jon Farris exploring the intersection of strategy and leadership in the cannabis and psychedelics industries, or any industry where humans work. Read on: Navigating ...
FARRIS FORWARD: How to Unlock Your Passion: The Power of “Why”
LOS ANGELES–Welcome to Farris Forward, a new series of articles by Jon Farris exploring the intersection of strategy and leadership. In the difficult and fast-paced world of business, especially in cannabis, it's easy to get ...
Ohio Grapples with Cannabis Legalization as Early Voting Commences
COLUMBUS– The Buckeye State stands on the precipice of a transformational decision. As early voting gets underway, Ohio residents are faced with a potential shift in their state's stance on cannabis. Public sentiment, shaped by ...
Canadian Cannabis Advocates Push for Higher THC Limits in Edibles Amid Regulatory Review
NEW YORK- In a significant development in Canada's cannabis landscape, advocates are pressing the federal government to revise the potency limits for cannabis edibles. A petition launched last week is seeking a tenfold increase in ...
TerrAscend Corp. Raises Revenue Guidance, Sees Robust Growth in Multiple States
LOS ANGELES-- TerrAscend Corp. displayed a strong financial posture by updating its revenue guidance for 2023 during its investor day at the Toronto Stock Exchange. This adjustment propelled the company's stock upwards by 4%, resulting ...
Tilray Medical Engages in Glioblastoma Research Through Clinical Trial in Spain
LOS ANGELES-- In a significant stride for the medical cannabis community, Tilray Medical, an affiliate of Tilray Brands, Inc., declared its involvement in a groundbreaking clinical trial slated to delve into the therapeutic potential of ...
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. Seeks $143 Million Tax Refund Amidst Dispute Over 280E Obligations
LOS ANGELES- U.S. cannabis titan, Trulieve Cannabis Corp, has lodged a claim for a $143 million tax refund from the federal government. The refund pertains to payments the firm made during the fiscal years 2019, ...
FDA Warns Against Unsupervised Use of Ketamine for Psychiatric Disorders
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised concerns over the unsupervised and unauthorized use of compounded ketamine and ketamine-based drugs for treating psychiatric conditions. In a recent alert, the FDA ...
Connecticut’s Cannabis Sales Soar, Surpassing $15 Million Mark for Adult-use Alone
HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut's blossoming cannabis market has reached with combined sales of adult-use and medical marijuana crossing $25 million in September 2023, according to the state's Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). This surge in ...
Colorado Cannabis Sales Surpass $15 Billion, But Recent Trends Raise Concerns
DENVER — August witnessed Colorado's recreational cannabis market and its established medical marijuana industry reach a significant landmark, achieving over $15 billion in cumulative sales since the inauguration of the adult-use market in January 2014. ...
U.S. Cannabis Banking Reform Faces New Hurdles Amid Political Drama
WASHINGTON D.C. — Recent optimism surrounding potential U.S. cannabis banking reform has encountered obstacles, with unrelated political issues clouding prospects for legislative passage. While there is hope for the U.S. Senate to pass the SAFER ...
Canada’s Cannabis Industry Faces Economic Challenges, Says Health Canada Report
OTTAWA — A recent report by the Canadian government suggests the nation's legal cannabis industry is encountering significant economic challenges, shedding light on the realities faced by businesses after the 2018 legalization. The report, titled ...
ANALYSIS: Cannabis Payments: Navigating a Landscape of Opportunities and Pitfalls
NEW YORK — Cannabis payment systems have always been rife with controversy and uncertainty. As we explore the landscape, the focus is primarily on services purporting to have a compliant mechanism to accept credit cards. ...
FSD Pharma Wins Legal Battle Against Former CEO; Ventures into Dietary Supplements
NEW YORK — In a significant legal triumph, FSD Pharma Inc. a Canadian biopharmaceutical firm, received a favorable ruling from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Thursday against its former chief executive, Dr. ...
