Catch up on this week's top hits

Despite years of regulatory progress at the state level, widespread national consumer adoption and growing acceptance of hemp-derived products, overreaching politicians in Washington, D.C., are threatening to dismantle one of the nation’s few growth industries – one built by small businesses and American hemp farmers.

An industry-paralyzing amendment introduced in May by U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois is now part of the draft Farm Bill submitted by the House of Representatives.

The inclusion of the amendment came without a roll-call vote or insights from industry leaders, mom-and-pop retailers or consumers who use these products to improve their everyday lives.

Ohio regulators have informed 62 medical marijuana licensees that they qualify to participate in the state’s soon-to-launch adult-use cannabis industry.

However, there’s no official date for a recreational marijuana sales launch in the state.

The dispensaries, cultivators, testing labs and other businesses notified by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) that they qualify must first obtain a “certificate of operation” before they can enter the state’s impending recreational marijuana industry.

Acquiring a company can be a strategic move for businesses seeking growth, diversification or market expansion.

The process involves a series of steps, from identifying potential targets to negotiating terms and completing the transaction.

But in a highly regulated industry such as cannabis, acquiring a company can be tricky.

Some executives and financial backers of marijuana multistate operator Good Day Farm are affiliated with an Arkansas company aiming to raise $65.6 million to invest in Louisiana’s medical cannabis market and other locations.

According to a May filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, NOLA PharmaHoldings sold $48.1 million in an equity offering.

The North Carolina Senate passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana for the third consecutive year.

However, the prospects of the “strictest-ever” medical cannabis bill passing the state House of Representatives is another matter.

The House has blocked medical cannabis legislation the past two years.

Massachusetts-based marijuana multistate operator Curaleaf Holdings first entered the European market in 2021 with the acquisition of Emmac Life Sciences.

Two years later, the company purchased a Portuguese marijuana cultivation facility from Colombian producer Clever Leaves.

Curaleaf co-founder and Executive Chair Boris Jordan sat down with MJBizMagazine at Cannabis Europa to discuss his company’s evolution and what he believes is in store for regulated marijuana operators at home and abroad.

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It’s been a groundbreaking year for our industry! From the emergence of newly legalized markets to the DEA’s game-changing cannabis rescheduling announcement, there’s so much to celebrate and prepare for.

Get ready to reunite with your canna fam at MJBizCon Dec. 3-6, 2024 in Las Vegas! Register today.