Adam JacksonFebruary 15, 2023
Companies need to go through a Twitter advertiser approval process.
cannabis Archives - Green Market Report
Adam JacksonFebruary 15, 2023
Video StaffJanuary 27, 2023
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) is finally exiting a trio of legacy western states in search for better profits. The exodus will begin this month with the “proactive closure of the majority of its operations” including its production and cultivation facilities in California, Colorado, and Oregon. The company cited the lack of enforcement over the illicit market and price compression as to why it was tapping out of the west coast. The company is also laying off 10% of its workforce. The company said it expects to save $60 million through the moves.
New York-based Ascend Wellness Holdings (CSE: AAWH.U) (OTCQX: AAWH) announced its expansion into Maryland with its $19 million purchase of Devi Holdings, which runs four operational medical marijuana dispensaries. The move marks the seventh state in which Ascend Wellness has a footprint, according to a press release. The company already has cannabis shops in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, according to its website.
Long-awaited federal guidance on cannabis clinical drug trials for humans has finally arrived. The guidance document from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration follows the 2018 federal farm bill, which removed cannabis with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight from the list of controlled substances. The move could dramatically accelerate the value of the CBD industry, which has been waiting on the guidance, and it could also help the industry back up some of the health claims various companies have made, which got them warning letters from the agency.
In state news…
Mississippi began its medical cannabis sales this week. The state legalized medical marijuana just a year ago.
New York opened its first social equity applicant dispensary and the state approved 30 more retail licenses.
In legal news this week, Nike is suing a Texas cannabis company for using the slogan “Just Hemp it”. A Michigan developer filed a $60 million lawsuit claiming delays led to a loss of funding and tenants for its project and Helping Hands Wellness Center Inc. in Nevada had its licenses suspended after inspectors “discovered Helping Hands’ employees were diverting product to the illicit market.
As a reminder, you can now submit applications to the 2023 GMR Women’s Leadership Awards, just head over to the website and there’s a link in our Summits tab.
Next week we expect earnings from High Tide, Scotts Miracle-Gro, and MedMen.
John SchroyerJanuary 24, 2023
'Guidance outlines FDA’s current thinking' on cannabis and cannabis-derived medicines.
Video StaffDecember 9, 2022Basketball star Brittney Griner was released from a Russian prison in a prisoner swap with the Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is known as the “Merchant of death.” President Biden said she was safe and on a plane headed home.
This week two companies were accused of inflating THC levels for premium-priced products. Both Stiiizy and VO Leasing, which makes Presidential cannabis products were the subjects of lawsuits filed in California. Both sell products that claim to have high THC levels, but when tested, were beyond the margin of error established by the state. Some by over 30%.
Weedmaps (NASDAQ: MAPS) said it was laying off 25% of its staff or 175 people. The move is intended to cut expenses but will cost over $10 million in severance costs. This comes shortly after longtime CEO Chris Beals departed the company and amid continuing losses at Weedmaps.
The cannabis banking bill, the SAFE Act, did not make it into the defense bill despite efforts by Sen. Chuck Schumer. Now, attention is turning to possible inclusion in the appropriations bill, but even that might not happen. More disappointing for the cannabis industry: comments by minority leader Sen. Mitch Mcconnell tagging the banking legislation as a “pet priority.” The legislation isn’t completely dead and could make it into the omnibus bill or even as a stand-alone bill, but time is running out.
In state news, Massachusetts said it would allow some pesticides by cannabis cultivators and Illinois said it would be open to cannabis delivery companies. Rhode Island fined one of its new cannabis license holders for winning a cannabis competition in Massachusetts. Mammoth cannabis was fined $10,000 and claimed to have been at the conference but that someone else must’ve entered their product.
And finally, a lawsuit was filed against the Facebook parent company Meta in connection with the cannabis Ponzi scheme Juicy Fields. Marketing for the investors of the scheme was done through social media, which is why they are going after Meta. The case includes 800 people from 50 different countries. Two billion euros are missing from investor accounts.
Debra BorchardtOctober 28, 2022
The Supreme Court is beginning to question the Dormant Commerce Clause.
StaffOctober 6, 2022
The Daily Hit is a recap of cannabis business news for October 6, 2022.
ON THE SITE
Biden To Pardon Marijuana Convictions, Calls For Classification Review
President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a sweeping directive that would alter the laws surrounding cannabis and its classification as a dangerous substance, as well as grant pardons to those who suffered from the War on Drugs. In a statement, the president stated that he plans to pardon all prior federal offenses and begin an administrative review alongside Justice Department to process pardons for simple marijuana possession. Read more here.
Floridians Stocked Up On Cannabis Ahead Of Hurricane Ian
Florida operators that had to temporarily shutter last week amid Hurricane Ian’s wrath are coming back online, though some companies are still reeling from its violent landfall. With the Sept. 30 cutoff date for the fiscal third quarter, some companies could see some additional padding to earnings reports, as patients throughout the state flocked to stores early last week to stock up on medicine ahead of the storm’s arrival. Read more here.
Agrify To Help Three Companies’ Grows Go Vertical
Agrify Corporation (Nasdaq: AGFY) said that three companies have decided to operate their cultivation businesses using the company’s rapid deployment packs (RDPs) — a prepackaged, quick-to-deploy alternative to traditional grow facilities. Prairie State Cannabis LLC in Illinois, LowKey LLC in Massachusetts and MediFlora Cultivation LTD in South Africa have all elected to use the tech, which the company said is able to provide “best-in-class” cultivation capabilities in potentially as little as 60-90 days. Read more here.
Recreational Psychedelics Enters The Conversation
The medical psychedelics decriminalization efforts are growing, with now 20 different states (or cities and counties within states) either decriminalizing or working on decriminalizing psychedelics. There have been pushbacks, with complaints that some decriminalization efforts include making them the “lowest law enforcement priorities,” a ruling that still effectively criminalizes psychedelics. That same ruling applied to the decriminalization of cannabis. Read more here.
Zynerba Gets Patent For Fragile X Drug
Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYNE), the leader in innovative pharmaceutically-produced transdermal cannabinoid therapies for orphan neuropsychiatric disorders, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued Patent No. 11,458,110, titled “Treatment of Fragile X Syndrome With Cannabidiol,” which includes claims directed to methods of treating Fragile X syndrome with cannabidiol. Read more here.
Green Thumb Industries Sees Board Shakeup
Three of four independent board members of Green Thumb Industries (OTC: GTBIF), including Dorri McWhorter, resigned over what the marijuana company said was “a disagreement as to the company’s policies and practices related to personal misconduct.” Read more here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Agrify Corporation
Agrify Corporation (Nasdaq : AGFY), a provider of cultivation and extraction solutions for the cannabis industry, today issued the following statement relating to the default of its customer Bud & Mary’s Cultivation, Inc. under a construction loan facility extended by Agrify to Bud & Mary’s associated with an Agrify Total Turn-Key Solution project and the lawsuit brought by Bud & Mary’s in response to the default notice. Read more here.
Bespoke Extracts, Inc.
Bespoke Extracts, Inc. (OTCQB: BSPK) today announced that the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) has approved Bespoke’s application for “suitability”. This approval enables Bespoke to acquire, subject to final state and local approval, any business licensed by the MED. Read more here.
Merchants & Marine Bank, CannaFirst Financial
Merchants & Marine Bank, a century-old Mississippi-based banking institution, has launched CannaFirst Financial, the first banking division dedicated to business owners in Mississippi’s quickly emerging cannabis industry. CannaFirst will serve clients in platform integration, online and mobile banking, cash transport, and treasury solutions. It is overseen and staffed by seasoned banking professionals with significant experience and certifications in emerging markets and industries. Read more here.
Neuraxpharm Group, Panaxia
Neuraxpharm Group, a European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the central nervous system, and Panaxia (TASE: PNAX), a global pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets advanced medical cannabis products of pharmaceutical quality, today announced the signing of two addendums to their agreement to expand their collaboration into the Czech and Swiss markets. Read more here.
F1SeedTech, NewBreedSeed
F1SeedTech and NewBreedSeed (NBS) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, with F1SeedTech acquiring 100% of the shares of NBS. The merger creates the industry leader in F1 hybrid varieties of cannabis, combining the day-neutral breeding activities of NBS and the short-day breeding activities of F1SeedTech in Israel and the Netherlands, respectively. Read more here.
Optimi Health Corp.
Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTCQX: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN), a Canadian-based company licensed by Health Canada to produce and supply natural, EU-GMP grade psilocybin and other psychedelic substances, most notably MDMA, is applauding the government of Alberta’s decision to regulate some psychedelics for therapeutic use in the province. Read more here.
Cybin Inc.
Cybin Inc. (NEO:CYBN) (NYSE AMERICAN:CYBN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on progressing Psychedelics to Therapeutics®, provided an update on its intellectual property progress in support of its research and development strategy. The company continues to prioritize the development of in-house IP and licensing opportunities that support its active development programs and future novel drug candidates. Read more here.
StaffOctober 5, 2022The Daily Hit is a recap of cannabis business news for October 5, 2022.
ON THE SITE
NBA Legend Isiah Thomas Hopes To Score In His International Hemp Venture
One World Products (OTCQB: OWPC), a fully-licensed hemp and cannabis producer in Colombia — owned by former Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas — is one step closer to commercialization. The news comes as OWP recently found $10 million in financing to help scale industrial hemp operations and work its way into the capital markets by 2023. Thomas has previously said that he wants the auto industry to trade plastic for hemp. Read more here.
DEA Licensed BRC Raises $20 Million
An active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pharmaceutical cannabis license holder, Biopharmaceutical Research Company completed a $20 million Series A fundraise. BRC said the raise will help it aggressively scale its operations and increase its product offering, conduct sponsored research, and execute its go-to-market strategy. Read more here.
Nevada Cannabis Sales Drop For Fiscal 2022
The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) and the Nevada Department of Taxation (DoT) released figures showing more than $965 million in taxable sales reported by Nevada’s legal cannabis industry over a 12-month period. Read more here.
Croptober Not Feeling So Celebratory
National cannabis wholesale prices continued their multi-month plunge at the end of September, likely not a good sign for outdoor marijuana farmers heading into harvest season known in the industry as ‘Croptober’. According to Cannabis Benchmarks, for the week that ended Sept. 30, the company’s spot index decreased 2.2% down to $966 per pound of cannabis flower, down from over $1,050 per pound two months ago. Read more here.
The Marriage Of Herbal Nutriceuticals and Psychedelics
Nutraceuticals have been getting a bad health and wellness rap for years. Most of the chatter is about them not being “real”; doctors ignore them in part because they have not gone through any FDA-approved clinical trials—even as their patients rave about the health benefits they get from taking them. Now there’s a movement to team up nutraceuticals with psychedelics and apply the science developed around psychedelics to advance nutraceuticals as more credible health and wellness products. Read more here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., Tryke Companies
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF), an international provider of consumer products in cannabis, today announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Tryke Companies (dba as Reef Dispensaries), a privately held vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator. With the close of the transaction, Curaleaf’s national footprint has reached 29 cultivation sites and 144 dispensaries nationwide. Read more here.
atai Life Sciences N.V.
atai Life Sciences N.V. (Nasdaq: ATAI), which is developing VLS-01, a form of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression (TRD), announced today the dosing of the first subject in their Phase 1 SAD trial of VLS-01. Read more here.
Zylorion Health Inc.
Zylorion Health Inc., a precision mental health care and psychedelic therapy focused company, today announced the filing of a composition of matter patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the company’s novel second-generation lead psychedelic compound. Read more here.
John SchroyerOctober 4, 2022
StaffOctober 4, 2022The Daily Hit is a recap of cannabis business news for October 4, 2022.
ON THE SITE
Cantor Gives Irwin Naturals a $7 Target Price
Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic initiated coverage on supplement company Irwin Naturals Inc. (OTC: IWINF) with an overweight rating and a $7 price target. The stock currently trades at roughly $1.58 per share. The shares are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE), and with limited free float, but a NASDAQ listing is possible in the future. Read more here.
GOP Tries To Tie Cannabis To Suicide, Violent Crime
Archconservative Republicans and their network of influence have recently taken a staunch stand against the legalization of marijuana. The largest Congressional GOP faction affirmed its national position on cannabis, saying that it should remain federally prohibited and suggested adolescent consumption could be tied to suicide and violent crime with more studies. Read more here. Read more here.
Psychedelics Law Being Prepped For Florida
While Florida digs out of the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the business of lawmaking and regulation for the medical psychedelics industry continues, with the hope of quickening access to psychedelics for the large veteran population in the state and for others needing access to legalized mental health treatment in the state. Read more here.
Medical Marijuana Inks Asset Purchase Deal To Expand Hemp Footprint
Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) — formerly known as GRN Holdings — has entered into an agreement to purchase assets from a hemp and natural wellness company for an undisclosed amount. Bill Andreoli, the president of seller MFINITY Global will become the president of Medical Marijuana, Inc. subsidiary, Kannaway, LLC. Read more here.
Not Everyone Is A Fan Of Fast-Tracked Psychedelics
While the psychedelic renaissance continues to gather steam, there is a growing uneasiness about the pace of the industry development. The excitement has been fueled specifically by three events: the report of MDMA going into Phase 3 clinical trial, the final phase of research on the road to FDA approval; the development of legalized psilocybin programs in Oregon (Measure 109) and elsewhere in the country; and the movements to decriminalize certain psychedelics that now includes 20 states (or a local government within the state) either already decriminalizing or looking into doing it soon. Read more here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Bright Green Corporation, Alterola Biotech Inc.
Bright Green Corporation (NASDAQ: BGXX), a company selected by the U.S. government to grow, manufacture, and sell cannabis and cannabis-related products for research, pharmaceutical applications and affiliated export, today announced that it has completed its previously announced strategic partnership and acquisition of 25% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Alterola Biotech Inc. (OTC PINK:ABTI), a U.K.-based pharmaceutical company focused on developing cannabinoid and cannabinoid-like medicines and products, for total consideration of $4 million. Read more here.
Biopharmaceutical Research Company
Biopharmaceutical Research Company, an active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pharmaceutical cannabis license holder, announced the completion of a $20M Series A fundraise. This will enable the company to aggressively scale its operations and increase its product offering, conduct sponsored research, and execute on its go-to-market strategy. The round is being led by Intrinsic Capital Partners, with participation from Argonautic Ventures, Achari Ventures, AFI Capital Partners, Delta Emerald Ventures, Self Health America (SHAC) and a number of preeminent family offices. Read more here.
Decibel Cannabis Company Inc., Breath of Life International Ltd.
Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX-V: DB) (OTCQB: DBCCF), a cannabis producer, announced it has secured an on-going supply agreement with Breath of Life International Ltd. to launch Decibel’s Qwest brand and cannabis products in Israel. The supply agreement is for $4.8 million of premium cannabis product, with the first shipment expected in the fourth quarter. Read more here.
Sweet Leaf Madison Capital
Sweet Leaf Madison Capital, a nationwide provider of tailored debt financing solutions for the middle-market cannabis industry, today announced the closing of a loan for $207,000 to Koach Enterprises, a cannabis startup in California creating a high-end brand through vertical integration. The funds will be used to purchase energy-efficient, top-of-the-line LED grow lights from Spectrum King LED. Read more here.
StaffOctober 3, 2022The Daily Hit is a recap of cannabis business news for October 3, 2022.
ON THE SITE
SEC Charges Eight In Cannabis Stock Promotion Scheme
Elegance Brands, Emerald Health Pharmaceutical, and High Times are accused of a stock promotion scheme – The Securities and Exchange Commission announced on September 30 that it had charged eight in a stock promotion scheme that included Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals and High Times Holdings. The SEC says investors purchased $80 million of securities following the promotions. The individuals received payments based on the number of securities sold. Read more here.
Cannabis Banking Bill Passage After Election Season ‘Likely,” Analyst Says
The cannabis industry may not have to remain in regulatory limbo for much longer, but it may take some last-minute horse-trading between aisles, according to Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic. After a Sept. 26 trip to D.C. to meet with lawmakers, the Cantor analyst believes that Congressional leaders are poised to pass banking legislation for the cannabis industry in the lame-duck session. Read more here.
Michigan Wants Marijuana Moratorium
Michigan’s largest marijuana operations are plotting an offensive to stop competitors from entering the market in an attempt to buoy falling weed prices in the state. At the request of a lobbyist for some of the state’s largest recreational and medical cannabis growers, the Legislative Service Bureau has drawn up new legislation to prohibit the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency from approving new grower licenses, according to draft legislation obtained by Crain’s. Read more here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Akerna Corp.
Akerna Corp. (Nasdaq: KERN), an enterprise software company and developer of comprehensive technology infrastructures, ecosystems, and compliance engines for the global cannabis industry, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors to purchase 400,000 shares of Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock and 100,000 shares of Series B convertible redeemable preferred stock. Each share of Series A and Series B preferred stock has a purchase price of $9.50, representing an original issue discount of 5% of the $10.00 stated value of each share. Read more here.
Akanda Corp.
International medical cannabis platform company Akanda Corp. (NASDAQ: AKAN) today announced that the company has received a written notification on September 27, 2022, from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, notifying the company that it is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). It resulted from the fact that the closing bid price of the company’s common shares, no par value, was below $1.00 per share for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Read more here.
New Leaf Ventures Inc., High Profile Holdings Corp.
New Leaf Ventures Inc. (CSE: NLV) (OTC: NLVVD), announced that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire High Profile Holdings Corp., a retail-focused private British Columbia cannabis company. Read more here.
Nabis, StateHouse Holdings
Nabis, a licensed cannabis wholesale platform, today announced an exclusive distribution partnership with California’s StateHouse Holdings. The agreement, which involves StateHouse winding down its distribution arm while pivoting its logistics to Nabis’ technology-centered platform, is an example of the industry’s latest consolidation trend, where self-distributed brands are outsourcing to simplify their business structures, increase efficiencies and prepare for scaling ahead. Read more here.
Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp., Como Health LLC
Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. (CSE: CANN) (OTCQX: HERTF), is announced that it is commencing operations in the state of Missouri after Como Health LLC, doing business as 3Fifteen Primo Cannabis, recently received an approval to operate from the Missouri Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation. Initial production on vape products, concentrates, and pre-rolls has already commenced in the state. Read more here.
Silo Pharma, Inc.
Silo Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: SILO), a developmental stage biopharmaceutical company focused on merging traditional therapeutics with psychedelic research, today announced that it is working with Premier Consulting as its regulatory partner to assist with the preparation of a pre-investigational new drug (IND) package and meeting request with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a novel topical formulation of ketamine, designated as SPC-26, for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Read more here.
Tryp Therapeutics, Inc.
Tryp Therapeutics, Inc. (CSE: TRYP) (OTCQB: TRYPF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing psilocybin-based compounds for diseases with unmet medical needs, today announced that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published their international patent application (PCT/IB2022/052347) covering the intravenous administration of psilocybin and psilocin. The PCT application, titled “Improved Methods For The Use of Psychedelics” expands and strengthens the IP related to the Company’s development of TRP-8803, an IV formulation of psilocin, which will be administered in conjunction with psychotherapy. Read more here.
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