Week In Review: Organigram Expands U.S. Market Through Collective Project Direct‑to‑Consumer Launch and THC Beverage Portfolio Expansion; The Senator Who Legalized Consumable Hemp Now Wants to Ban It; Curaleaf Takes Full Control of European Arm in Bold Strategic Move

LOS ANGELES — Welcome to the far too-exciting world of cannabis and psychedelics, where it’s a tale of two markets with some states doing amazingly well. And some, well…they’re not doing so well (hello New York). Let’s get to it! 

Cannabis Industry Highlights

1#) Organigram Expands U.S. Market Through Collective Project Direct‑to‑Consumer Launch and THC Beverage Portfolio Expansion: Organigram Global Inc. Canada’s largest cannabis producer by market share, has entered a significant new phase in its U.S. strategy. Through its recently acquired subsidiary, Collective Project, the company has launched a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform offering hemp-derived THC beverages in 25 states across the country.

2#) The Senator Who Legalized Consumable Hemp Now Wants to Ban It: Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), once hailed as the architect of federal hemp legalization under the 2018 Farm Bill, is now backing efforts that could dismantle the very market he helped create.

3#)Curaleaf Takes Full Control of European Arm in Bold Strategic Move: In a major development out of the cannabis industry, Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA, OTCQX: CURLF) has just announced it’s taken full ownership of Curaleaf International, buying out its minority partner’s stake in a deal finalized on July 2. Sources confirm the transaction, executed through a 2021 Put/Call Option agreement, hands Curaleaf complete control of its European operations.

4#) Clampdown on Australian Medicinal Cannabis Prescribing Raises Questions on Effectiveness: Health regulators in Australia recently issued reinforced guidance aimed at improving prescribing standards for medicinal cannabis, reflecting growing concerns over patient safety and industry conduct.

5#) New Lawsuit Challenges Lottery Process for Kentucky Medical Cannabis Licenses: A group of Kentucky-based applicants has filed a lawsuit arguing that the state’s lottery system for awarding medical cannabis licenses is unconstitutional and unfairly structured. The suit, filed on June 27 in Jefferson Circuit Court, names the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Sam Flynn, former executive director of the state’s Office of Medical Cannabis (OCM), as defendants.

6#)Würk Integrates DailyPay’s On‑Demand Pay into Payroll Platform: Würk, a provider of payroll, human resources, and compliance software for highly regulated industries—including cannabis and gaming—has integrated DailyPay’s on‑demand pay service into its existing payroll platform.

7#) 9 in 10 Americans Favor Cannabis Legalization, Pew Research Center Poll Reveals: A groundbreaking Pew Research Center survey conducted from January 27 to February 2, 2025, shows that 87% of Americans support legalizing cannabis, reflecting a seismic shift in public sentiment.

8#)Legal Status of Cannabis in Europe: A growing number of European countries now permit the use, cultivation or sale of cannabis under regulated conditions, driven by evolving public policy and emerging economic opportunity. Germany legalized limited recreational use on April 1, 2024, allowing adults to carry up to 25 g, grow three plants at home and join non-profit social clubs capped at 500 members since July 1, 2024. Malta became the first EU country to fully legalize recreational cannabis in December 2021, permitting adult possession of up to 7 g, cultivation of up to four plants per household, and operation of non-profit cannabis social clubs . Luxembourg followed with a law effective July 21, 2023, allowing adults to grow four plants per household and use cannabis at home, though public sale remains prohibited.

Psychedelic Sector Update

1#)Canadian Court Sides with Psychedelic Therapy Advocates in Psilocybin Exemption Case: A Canadian federal court has ordered Health Canada to revisit its denial of psilocybin exemptions for health-care professionals, marking a significant development in the country’s evolving drug policy landscape. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Therapsil, a non-profit advocating for legal access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.

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