From Our Writers

A group of Maryland state senators is looking to craft a second cannabis legalization bill separate from a recently announced equity-focused proposal.

Alaska’s hemp plan was approved by the USDA last week, allowing its farmers to market their products nationwide for the first time.

The biotech pharma firm ANANDA Scientific Inc. announced it has received FDA approval to study a CBD-based drug as a treatment for opioid-use disorder.

Washington State Democratic Senators Jesse Salomon and Liz Lovelett have introduced a bill to legalize the assisted adult use of psilocybin.

Alabama gubernatorial candidate Chad “Chig” Martin will be including cannabis legalization as a main component of his election campaign.

Starting January 18, Quebec will require proof of vaccination from COVID-19 in order to purchase cannabis and alcohol in the province.

Groff North America Hemplex and BRC, two cannabis cultivation firms, have harvested federally sanctioned cannabis for research purposes, ending a 50-year monopoly by the University of Mississippi.

Curaleaf has settled 10 lawsuits related to its mix-up last year of THC and CBD tinctures at a Portland, Oregon facility. Additional cases, including a wrongful death suit, are still pending.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is creating a $200 million fund for social equity applicants looking to join the adult-use cannabis industry.

Maryland state Sen. Jill Carter (D-Baltimore) plans to file an adult-use cannabis legalization bill next week which emphasizes social equity, home cultivation, and criminal justice reforms.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize personal cannabis possession and cultivation.

Indiana state Sen. Greg Taylor (D) has crafted a medical cannabis legalization bill to be introduced in the coming legislative session.

Illinois set a new adult-use cannabis sales record last month, topping $138 million and more than doubling its annual sales.

Connecticut has approved the state’s social equity cannabis rules and anticipates beginning to accept industry license applications next month.

Cannabis in Massachusetts has reached its lowest average price since the initial pandemic lockdown at $340 per ounce.

A new report by cannabis data and analytics firm Headset projects that the U.S. cannabis industry could reach a $45.8 billion market potential by 2025.

The combined sales from Montana’s new adult-use cannabis marketplace surpassed $1.5 million over its launch last weekend.

Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin (R) said in a recent interview he will not seek to overturn the adult-use cannabis law signed by his predecessor but will look to adjust certain elements of the program, including a “forced unionization” clause.

Ohio cannabis advocates were 13,062 valid signatures short of the amount required to force lawmakers to consider adult-use cannabis legalization.

London, England Mayor Sadiq Khan is looking to adopt a cannabis decriminalization pilot program that would offer guidance on drug use instead of arresting young adults between 18-24.

The rapidly developing cannabis industry is still in its formative years, and where we seek advice as we grow will dictate the foundational qualities of the cannabis space.

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., the U.S. arm of a pharmaceutical firm that recently announced an international medical cannabis distribution deal, was found guilty in New York for contributing to the opioid crisis.

Green Thumb Industries Inc. has closed on its acquisition of LeafLine Industries, which owns one of Minnesota’s two vertical licenses, giving GTI a national presence in 15 states.

The California Department of Cannabis Control announced it is now accepting applications for social equity cannabis license fee waivers.