Articles written by Jelena Martinovic

New York Weed Giant's Collab With Airo Brings Cannabis Vaping To Next Level In These Two States

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. announced on Friday its latest expansion with Airo Brands, a multi-state cannabis company focused on proprietary, cutting-edge vapor delivery platforms and flavorful, high-quality oils, into Virginia and Pennsylvania. "Expanding into Virginia and Pennsylvania underscores our commitment to providing the highest quality products and demonstrates the precision and expertise of The Cannabist Company to create consistent experiences across multiple markets, which is critical for developing brand equity," Volley Hayhurst, vice president of operations at the New York-based company, said.

GOP Gov. Abbott Sides With AG Paxton On Texas Weed Decriminalization: Cities Like Lubbock Have No Authority To 'Override' State Law

Residents of Lubbock, West Texas' largest city with 264,000 residents, are slated to vote next week to decriminalize local low-level marijuana offenses, making it yet another city in the Lone Star State, to do so. For a May 4 vote, which has been raising dust for months, Gov. Greg Abbott said it's not a way to make a change. Instead, he proposes reaching out to lawmakers, reported Marijuana Moment. "Local communities such as towns, cities and counties, they don't have the authority to override state law," Abbott, who previously said that marijuana possession alone shouldn't put anyone behind bars, said. "If they want to see a different law passed, they need to work with their legislators. Let's legislate to work to make sure that the state, as a state, will pass some of the law."

Third Time's The Charm? North Dakota Ballot Initiative Group Gets Green Light To Collect Signatures For Marijuana Legalization

Over a week after a group of North Dakotans filed a 2024 ballot measure petition to legalize recreational cannabis, the state's top election official gave the green light for signature gathering. The New Economic Frontier, a cannabis advocacy committee behind the push, needs to garner and submit 15,582 valid signatures to Secretary of State Michael Howe by July 8 to place the measure on the November general election ballot. Under a measure's text that spans 20 pages, recreational marijuana use at home would be legal for those 21 and older. Moreover, the measure proposes setting up a regulatory framework for the production and processing of cannabis as well as prohibited uses. Steve Bakken, a Burleigh County commissioner and former Bismarck mayor, who is behind the initiative, said law enforcement resources "should be directed someplace a little more effectual."

Marijuana Reform On Fast Track In These States As Sen. Schumer Stresses The Need For A Bipartisan Effort

A measure that advanced through Delaware House and seeks to put into effect a law under which banks doing business with licensed marijuana businesses would be protected got the green light at the state Senate committee this week.On a federal level, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) listed a bipartisan marijuana banking bill as a priority in his chamber.Meanwhile, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has until May 7 to weigh in on a bill that seeks to further regulate and license the purchase of hemp products to those 21 and older. in Louisiana, state House committee members gave the green light to a measure that would set up a regulatory framework for marijuana legalization.

Grown Rogue Boosts Ownership Of Michigan Cannabis Operations

Grown Rogue International Inc. has increased ownership in its Michigan operations from 52.2% to 80% via two transactions valued at $2.8 million. The purchase price included $200,000 paid in cash and $2.6 million paid by way of four-year sellers' notes, the company said on Thursday. Grown Rogue boosted its ownership in Golden Harvests, LLC, the entity that controls its Michigan operations, operating out of an 80,000 sq ft facility containing roughly 15,000 sq ft of flowering bench space.

Cannabis Edibles Maker Indiva Reports Record Revenue In 2023, Positive EBITDA And Income From Q4 Operations

Canadian cannabis edibles producer Indiva Limited announced on Thursday its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2023. For the fourth quarter, the company reported a 53.3% increase year-over-year increase in gross profit before inventory write-down to CA$4.2 million (roughly $3 million). Gross margin before inventory write-down improved to a record 38.5% of net revenue, versus 37.1% in the prior quarter and 29.3% in the prior year's period. Indiva attributed the improvement in gross margin percentage year over year to higher sales, improved operating efficiencies and a positive mix shift toward higher-margin products.

Cannabis (De)Unionization: Here's What's New On The Frontlines Of Labor Organizing Among Weed Workers

Employees at Cresco Labs Inc.'s Fall River, Massachusets-based cannabis cultivation operations have voted overwhelmingly to approve their first union contract with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 328 more than three years ago. Now, the gardeners, supervisors and other agricultural workers at Cresco's operations opted to reverse the process. With their contract nearing the June expiration date, the workers opted to de-unionize, instead of negotiating another organized labor deal, according to documents obtained by MJBizDaily.Meanwhile, employees at Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.'s store in Phoenix, Arizona joined a 4/20 protest on Saturday, organized by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 99 at a company store on East Camelback Road near North Seventh Street. The protesters asked for safer working conditions, full-time employment and a living wage, reported Arizona Central.

Pervasip Reports Slight YoY Decrease In Q1 Revenue As It Prepares For Cannabis Spin-Off

Pervasip announced on Tuesday its 2024 first-quarter financial results. Simultaneously, the Seattle, Washington-based company said it's still in the restructuring process and preparation for the spin-out of all of its cannabis assets. "We are entering our final phase of restructuring which involves making difficult decisions to ensure additional expense reductions and separating the company from assets it has held for many years," German Burtscher, Pervasip's president and chief executive officer, said. Additionally, as part of the restructuring, George Jordan has resigned from his duties as CFO and COO of the company and will stay on as an advisor, supporting management through its final phase of changes in preparation for the spin-out of Artizen Corporation.

This Pioneering Cannabis Graduate Program Is A Blend Of Social Work And Marijuana, Here's Why Students Should Apply

Cannabis education is slowly paving its way toward entering medical schools with the research body growing exponentially over the past year. Simultaneously, there's a growing need for more knowledgeable medical cannabis experts nationwide as the stigma around the plant is fading and the therapeutic potential of cannabis in the U.S. is getting increasingly acknowledged. The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) has teamed up with the School of Pharmacy to address the increased demand for more cannabis professionals. The collaboration resulted in a new dual graduate program - MSW and Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Post Baccalaureate Certificate - for which UMB claims it's "only one in the country."

Cannabis Reform A Priority For Congressional Progressive Caucus And More News From South Carolina, Utah, Montana & Maine

A restrictive medical cannabis bill passed by the South Carolina Senate in February, aimed at aligning the state with national trends toward compassionate care got a hearing in a state House committee this week. Meanwhile, A new legislative agenda by the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) that was published last week, lists marijuana as one of the priorities. In part on criminal justice, CPC said it will work toward legalizing cannabis, expunging records and providing restorative justice for those with cannabis-related convictions.The number of medical cannabis patients in Utah went up 19% year-over-year, reaching 83,000 at the end of March.In Montana, lawmakers fell short of their intention to override Governor Greg Gianforte's (R) last year's veto on the proposed redistribution of recreational cannabis tax revenues.n Maine, the recently enacted bill, which was signed by Gov. Janet Mills into law earlier this month now makes it possible for people to apply to get their criminal histories for now-legal marijuana crimes sealed. LD 2236, previously advanced through the state legislature.

Tell-Tale Signs Led To Cannabis Bust In Maine As Feds Crack Down On International Criminal Organizations Growing Illegal Weed

Maine law enforcement has recently busted another illegal grow operation seizing 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of processed cannabis, reported the Associated Press. A naturalized U.S. citizen born in China Xisen Guo has been running a hidden high-tech cannabis grow operation from his house in Passadumkeag, as per court documents. In February, he got arrested following the police raid on his home. Guo's operation appeared on the police radar due to the home's utility bills that surged to nearly $9,000 a month from $300 prior to the house being purchased for $125,000 in cash by a limited liability company. During the raid, police also found heat pumps, lighting and additional gear used for the cultivation of marijuana, according to court documents. Guo's was ordered held on Friday on federal drug charges.

This Pharma Co. Kicks Off FDA Approval Process For CBD-Based Treatment Of Chronic Pain

Innocan Pharma Corporation (CSE: INNO) (FSE: IP4) (OTCQB: INNPF) announced on Monday that it has submitted its letter of application for a Pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA, for its Liposome-Cannabidiol (LPT-CBD) injectable treatment of chronic pain. With the move, the company initiated the regulatory process with the FDA for the approval of its prolonged CBD release technology for human use.

Roman Pot Or Not? Archaeologists Find Mysterious Seeds At Excavation Site In England

Romans are known for parties that were wild enough to be made into history books. That is thanks to Ancient historians who've had their pens, ink and papyrus ready at all times to perpetuate their visions of Rome's cultic celebrations such as the Bacchanalia and Dionysia. Festivals in honor of Bacchus, the Roman form of Greek Dionysus, the wine god, were celebrated with "dancing, song and revelry," as per Merriam-Webster dictionary. One couldn't help but wonder, could cannabis have been used in such contexts?

Psychedelic Productivity: Peer Pressure Or Good Career Advice?

A trend of psychedelics being used to improve focus, creativity and general well-being at work is on the rise, especially among a growing group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and employees. And, it seems like a last year's warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about potential risks associated with compounded ketamine products, including oral formulations, for the treatment of psychiatric disorders is not affecting its popularity.

GOP Bill Would Allow Medical Marijuana Patients In Pennsylvania To Own Guns

Last week, a top Pennsylvania Republican senator made a significant step toward amending the state's Uniform Firearms Act to conform with the legalization of medical cannabis. Sen. Dan Laughlin introduced previously announced Senate Bill 1146 on 2nd Amendment Day, a public awareness day observed on April 17. Even though the use of medical marijuana for specific conditions is considered legal in Pennsylvania, possessing a firearm is illegal at the federal level for those who admit to consuming cannabis. "My legislation will make sure a valid medical marijuana cardholder is no longer considered an unlawful marijuana user," Laughlin said in a memo. "Although marijuana remains illegal under federal law, we should be updating Pennsylvania's laws to ensure valid medical marijuana cardholders are not denied their rights."

Curaleaf Boosts International Presence With Another Cannabis Acquisition

Cannabis giant Curaleaf Holdings is closing its previously announced acquisition of Northern Green Canada, a vertically integrated Canadian licensed cannabis producer focused primarily on expanding in the international market through its EU-GMP certification. Terms of the acquisition of NGC include an initial payment at closing of the company's subordinate voting shares valued at approximately $16 million, subject to a typical post-closing adjustment. In addition, an earnout may also be paid in 2025 based upon the 2024 performance of NGC's operations, up to 50% of which will be cash and the rest paid in additional subordinate voting shares.

Canopy Growth's Big Step Toward Entry Into US Cannabis Market As DEA Rescheduling Looms

Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NASDAQ: CGC) said that in connection with the creation of the company's non-voting and non-participating exchangeable shares, on Thursday, April 18, Greenstar Canada Investment Limited Partnership and CBG Holdings LLC, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE: STZ) exchanged all 17,149,925 common shares in the capital of the company they collectively held for 17,149,925 exchangeable shares for no consideration. The CBG Group no longer holds any common shares of Canopy, as a result, the company said on Thursday. In connection with the termination of the investor rights agreement between CBG, Greenstar and Canopy Growth, the parties entered earlier and following the note exchange, Garth Hankinson, Judy Schmeling and James Sabia each provided notice to the company of his or her decision to resign from the board.

This CBD And Hemp Co. Reports 82% YoY Increase In 2023 Revenue, Thanks To Its 'International Appeal'

Endexx Corporation (OTC: EDXC) reported on Thursday an increase in 2023 revenue and expansion into new global markets. The Arizona-based company has expanded its presence in international markets. In its recent press release it highlighted revenue contributions from Italy, which accounted for 48% of total revenues. Moreover, continued strong performance in the U.S. and Russia further demonstrated Endexx's broad international appeal, the company said.

EXCLUSIVE: Banking-Fit Means Your Cannabis Business Is At The 'Pinnacle Of Fitness,' Experts Explain At Benzinga Conference

Cannabis is a "competitive industry," and those looking to build their business in the space, should "embrace it." That's according to Kevin Hart, the founder and CEO of Green Check Verified, a leader in banking solutions for the cannabis industry. To get the much-needed capital, all you need to do is not be afraid of the competitive environment, he told those gathered at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Florida on Tuesday. "There's access to financial and business services at your fingertips," Hart said, adding "you just have to be prepared to share some information." For Adam Stettner, the founder and CEO of FundCanna, who joined Hart and two other industry experts - Ryan Himmel, vice president and head of strategic partnerships at LeafLink and Sahar Ayinehsazian, a partner in Vicente LLP's Los Angeles office - on the stage at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood in a panel moderated by Jeanne M. Sullivan, chief investment officer at Arcview Ventures, that information is how the money will be used."

One In Two Biden Voters Want To Live In A Place Where Marijuana is Legal, One In Eight Trump Supporters Want The Same

Nearly half (46.8%) of homeowners and renters nationwide who plan to give their vote to President Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election this November want to live in a place where recreational weed is legal, a new report from Redfin revealed. Donald Trump's supporters are not too fond of the idea, with only 12.4% of residents wanting the same. The data come from a Redfin-commissioned survey conducted by Qualtrics in February 2024. Run by the technology-powered real estate brokerage, the survey included 2,995 U.S. homeowners and renters, of whom 1,162 said they plan to vote for Trump and 1,171 for Biden.