Investing

Multiple high-profile Rhode Islanders have announced investments into the state’s medical cannabis and industrial hemp industries.

Tech firm Flowhub has landed $23 million as part of its Series A funding round. The round was led by Evolv Ventures, a venture fund backed by Kraft Heinz, which is partly owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

Colorado cannabis company Ebbu has been accused of violating Colorado investment laws by failing to properly disclose investor identities in its early fundraising rounds.

Cannabis mergers and acquisitions have made for some big stories this year — here’s an in-depth look at the strategies behind these moves, and an explanation of how you might use M&A to grow your own cannabis enterprise.

A $1 million private donation to the Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center will fund research into hemp’s industrial applications and use in consumer goods and health products.

Meg Sanders is co-founder of the Canna Provisions Group — a boutique dispensary in Lee, Massachusetts — and co-owner of the successful MiNDFUL dispensary brand in Colorado.

The world’s first billionaire from the legal cannabis industry is reportedly Boris Jordan, chairman for Curaleaf.

Cannabis industry veteran Steve DeAngelo is a world-renowned cannabis activist, author, and cofounder of Harborside, Steep Hill Labs, the Arcview Group, and the NCIA.

Curaleaf Holdings Inc. will acquire GR Companies Inc. in an $875 million cash and stock deal; the sale will create the largest cannabis company in the world by revenue, the company announced.

Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart has announced the creation of cannabis pre-roll brand Mind Your Head, the rock legend’s new collaboration with Left Coast Ventures in California.

Cannabis industry investment firm Northern Swan Holdings has announced that former federal lawmakers Rep. Joseph Crowley and former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle have been added to the company’s advisory board.

Grassroots Cannabis in Illinois completed its first capital raise of $90 million; the company is now set to expand facilities in Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Harvest Health and Recreation announced it is acquiring Verano Holdings in the largest U.S. cannabis acquisition to date at $850 million.

A Colorado bill that would allow for publicly-traded cannabis companies and lower the bar for passive ownership of those companies has cleared its first legislative hurdle and seems likely to become law.