Global
47 articles
Curaleaf Announces Hostile Takeover Bid for Aurora Cannabis to Cement Global Leadership
U.S.-based Curaleaf Holdings has announced its intention to launch a takeover bid for Canada’s Aurora Cannabis, framing the move as a way to solidify its position as the global cannabis industry leader. Aurora has effectively rejected the proposal, saying the offer’s upper limit is below its prior share price, putting a major North American M&A contest in the spotlight.
2026-08-12
Canada’s Organigram Posts Record Q3 FY26 Results — C$105.8M Net Revenue and 35% International Mix
Canada’s Organigram Global reported record fiscal Q3 2026 net revenue of C$105.8 million, up 49% year over year. With the contribution of its Sanity Group acquisition, international revenue rose to 35% of the total, highlighting the company’s expansion into overseas markets including Europe.
2026-08-12
Square Tells Merchants to Halt Hemp and CBD Sales, Citing Impending Federal Restrictions
Payments and POS provider Square has told merchants it will no longer allow CBD and hemp product sales on its platform, citing uncertainty around impending federal hemp-product restrictions. The potential loss of payment infrastructure could directly affect sales channels for smaller hemp businesses, heightening industry concerns.
2026-08-10
Federal report: Daily cannabis use in the U.S. surpasses daily drinking and smoking — 21.4 million
A new federal report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) finds that the number of Americans who use cannabis daily or nearly daily has exceeded those who drink alcohol daily or smoke cigarettes daily. As of 2025, about 21.4 million people reported using cannabis on 20 or more of the past 30 days, surpassing roughly 19.9 million daily cigarette smokers. The findings are notable federal empirical evidence that cannabis is emerging as a primary substitute for alcohol and tobacco.
2026-07-29
Health Canada Revises Guidance on Cannabis Imports, Odour Mitigation and Hemp Policy
Canadian authorities have revised guidance covering cannabis imports, odour mitigation, and hemp policy. The changes are part of ongoing regulatory updates to Canada’s cannabis framework since legalization, and the hemp policy revisions are drawing attention alongside contemporaneous U.S. debates on hemp regulation.
2026-07-29
Vireo Growth Acquires Planet 13 in All‑Stock Merger — Becomes One of the Largest MSOs with ~265 Stores across 15 States
Vireo Growth has acquired Planet 13 Holdings through an all‑stock merger. The deal adds Planet 13’s Las Vegas flagship superstore and on‑site consumption lounge, 33 Florida retail locations plus two cultivation and production facilities, and one Illinois store — 36 retail outlets in total. Upon closing, Vireo is expected to operate roughly 265 stores across 15 states, making it one of the largest multi‑state operators (MSOs) in the U.S. cannabis industry.
2026-07-28
Pete Buttigieg: 'Medical Cannabis Has Clearly Brought Change for Veterans and Their Families' — Mentioned as a 2028 Presidential Candidate
Former Transportation Secretary and 2028 presidential contender Pete Buttigieg said that "medical cannabis has clearly brought change for those who served in the military and their extended families." He added that "a majority of Americans recognize that people should have access to this," clearly signaling his support for medical cannabis.
2026-07-27
U.S. Cannabis Sales Fall Year‑over‑Year for First Time — $32.0B (2024) → $29.94B (2025); Cause: Price Compression
U.S. cannabis sales declined year‑over‑year for the first time on record, dropping from $32.0 billion in 2024 to $29.94 billion in 2025. The reduction stems not from weaker demand but from price compression: consumers are buying larger quantities while paying less. The trend reflects a maturing market and signals structural profitability challenges for the industry as prices continue to fall.
2026-07-27
Himachal Pradesh Officially Adopts Regulations Permitting Cannabis Cultivation for Medical and Scientific Purposes — India’s Third State
Himachal Pradesh authorities have officially adopted regulations permitting cultivation of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes. Following cabinet approval in June and formal adoption of the rules in July, the state has become the third in India to allow legal cannabis cultivation. Located in the Himalayan region, Himachal Pradesh has a long tradition of hemp cultivation; the new regulations will enable farmers to lawfully cultivate a high‑value crop. The move reflects growing momentum for state‑level cannabis reform across India, the world’s largest democracy.
2026-07-27
South Korea Puts $21 Million Behind Minor Cannabinoids for Medical Hemp Products
South Korea is investing 29.6 billion won (about $21 million) to move its pioneering industrial hemp program into a new commercialization phase, signaling that medical applications remain the government's top priority for the crop. The four-year project will expand the Andong Industrial Hemp Special Zone in North Gyeongsang Province, aiming to commercialize minor cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC and CBN. Participating companies include Neoken Bio and HLB Life Science R&D, working alongside KIST to build a full pharmaceutical value chain from cultivation to finished medicines.
2026-07-23
Massachusetts Challenge to Repeal of Cannabis Legalization Dismissed — November Vote Confirmed
The Massachusetts Ballot Law Commission rejected a last‑minute effort to remove a repeal initiative from the November ballot, dismissing objections to the petition signatures and certifying the measure for the vote. If approved, the referendum would be the first public vote on rolling back legalization since the state legalized adult‑use cannabis in 2008, and is expected to serve as a key indicator of whether U.S. cannabis policy may shift toward reversal.
2026-07-22
One Year After Germany's Partial Legalization, No Immediate Effect on Youth Cannabis Use — Evidence Undermining Opposition Claims
A study by Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI) found no evidence of an immediate change in the prevalence of cannabis use among German adolescents one year after the partial legalization in 2024. The empirical findings directly challenge the central argument of opponents that legalization leads to increased youth use and are likely to serve as an important reference in cannabis policy debates across European countries.
2026-07-22