Legal Affairs
From $700 Million Unicorn to Fire-Sale Exit: What the Eaze–Vireo Deal Says About California Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- When Eaze first burst onto the scene, it was marketed as the “Uber of Cannabis”—a tech-enabled delivery platform that promised to professionalize and scale legal access across California. At its peak, Eaze ...
Arizona Ballot Measure Targets Cannabis Retail Shutdown
PHOENIX – A conservative-backed campaign in Arizona has launched an effort to roll back key elements of the state's adult-use Cannabis program, filing a ballot initiative last month that would shutter licensed dispensaries and end ...
Fluent Offloads Pennsylvania Dispensaries
NEW YORK – Fluent Corp. has finalized the sale of its three Pennsylvania dispensaries to HIVE Holdings Inc. for $12.5 million in cash, marking a deliberate shift toward debt reduction and operational efficiency. The deal ...
Green Thumb Industries Reports Q3 2025 Financial Results
CHICAGO – Green Thumb Industries released third-quarter earnings that reflected a narrow sales increase alongside deepening price cuts in established markets. The company posted $291.4 million in revenue for the period, a 1.6% rise from ...
Curaleaf Reports Q3 2025 Financial Results
STAMFORD – Curaleaf Holdings Inc. unveiled its third-quarter financials, revealing a revenue figure that edged past analyst forecasts while underscoring the company's deepening reliance on global markets to counter domestic challenges. The Cannabis MSO recorded ...
Mamdani’s Mayoral Win: Is It a Sign of Equity in NY’s Cannabis Field?
LOS ANGELES – New York City's mayoral race concluded with Zohran Mamdani's clear mandate on November 4, 2025, as the 34-year-old assemblyman secured 50.4% of the vote against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 41.6% and Curtis ...
Alcohol Giants Press Congress to Outlaw Intoxicating Hemp Derivatives
WASHINGTON – In a letter sent Tuesday, a coalition of leading alcohol trade groups urged congressional leaders to suspend sales of intoxicating hemp-derived products until federal rules can be established, warning that the market's unchecked ...
From $700 Million Unicorn to Fire-Sale Exit: What the Eaze–Vireo Deal Says About California Cannabis
LOS ANGELES- When Eaze first burst onto the scene, it was marketed as the “Uber of Cannabis”—a tech-enabled delivery platform that promised to professionalize and scale legal access across California. At its peak, Eaze ...
Arizona Ballot Measure Targets Cannabis Retail Shutdown
PHOENIX – A conservative-backed campaign in Arizona has launched an effort to roll back key elements of the state's adult-use Cannabis program, filing a ballot initiative last month that would shutter licensed dispensaries and end ...
Fluent Offloads Pennsylvania Dispensaries
NEW YORK – Fluent Corp. has finalized the sale of its three Pennsylvania dispensaries to HIVE Holdings Inc. for $12.5 million in cash, marking a deliberate shift toward debt reduction and operational efficiency. The deal ...
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. ...
