Breaking News Editor
Alex Morgan leads our breaking news coverage, ensuring readers get accurate information as stories develop. With a background in wire service journalism at Reuters and a knack for being first to major stories, Alex has built a reputation for speed and accuracy. They manage our news desk operations and coordinate coverage of major industry events. Alex graduated from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and has won multiple awards for deadline reporting.
CultureDavid Gans challenges the 'drug band' label for the Grateful Dead, revealing Bob Weir's nuanced cannabis stance that defied stereotypes and offers lessons for today's celebrity-driven cannabis industry.
LegislationCannabis industry experts argue Trump's rescheduling order won't stabilize the market without insurance reimbursement access, which matters more than tax relief for long-term viability.
CultureChicago's Runners High club has grown from a 2022 cannabis-inspired idea into a weekly run club and wellness community, challenging couch-lock stereotypes and reflecting broader trends in cannabis lifestyle integration.
LegislationVirginia's House and Senate advanced companion bills to legalize cannabis sales, moving the legislation closer to Governor Youngkin's desk despite his previous opposition.
BusinessCalifornia extract brand Jetty Extracts is expanding to New York after surviving the state's cannabis market collapse through patient-focused products and conservative growth. CEO Nate Ferguson discusses the company's strategy.
Industry NewsNew York regulators ordered a recall of adult-use cannabis products after an investigation found a state-licensed testing lab issued unreliable results over a two-month period.
LegislationLaw enforcement groups are urging Congress to let a federal ban on hemp-derived THC products take effect, opposing industry efforts to delay recriminalization of delta-8 and similar compounds that generate billions in annual sales.
LegislationMissouri cannabis regulators have proposed new rules allowing them to penalize license holders who knowingly allow individuals with disqualifying backgrounds to exercise controlling influence over operations, even without formal ownership ties.
LegislationVirginia House and Senate committees advanced companion bills Monday creating a resentencing pathway for marijuana convictions, while separate legislation to establish commercial cannabis sales also moves forward.
BusinessIndustry analysts are questioning whether share repurchase programs make strategic sense for cannabis companies facing capital constraints, high debt costs, and limited access to traditional financing.
LegislationNebraska medical marijuana advocates are defending their successful 2024 campaign after a notary was convicted for misconduct, arguing voters have spoken and implementation should proceed.
Industry NewsThe New York Cannabis Retail Association returns to Brooklyn March 13 for its fourth annual industry gathering, connecting retailers and brands as the state's legal market faces ongoing challenges.
BusinessFederal regulatory changes around seed classification and cannabis rescheduling could create the first real opening for major agricultural corporations to enter the industry by 2026.
LegislationIndiana's legislative session ended without passing a hemp THC ban after a chaotic week that saw the prohibition measure die, briefly revive, then fail again. The state's intoxicating hemp market remains unregulated until at least 2025.
CulturePolitical TV dramas from The West Wing to Veep document cannabis's journey from political scandal to routine policy debate, mirroring real-world legalization and shifting public opinion over three decades.
CultureCalifornia Cannabis Awards will debut a home cultivation category in 2026, allowing backyard growers to compete alongside commercial producers for the first time in the prestigious competition's history.
BusinessThe Global Cannabis Stock Index fell 10.6% in January to 5.89, continuing volatility from 2024. February saw a modest recovery, but the sector remains under pressure.
LegislationA Nebraska notary faces 24 misdemeanor charges for allegedly improper notarization of medical cannabis petition signatures. The trial comes after voters approved the program in 2024.
LegislationOklahoma legislation would let counties impose up to 15% tax on cannabis sales, but only after voters approve it in special elections triggered by commissioners or citizen petitions.
LegislationGov. Josh Shapiro includes adult-use cannabis in his budget for the second year, projecting $729 million in first-year revenue. The proposal faces Republican opposition in the state Senate.
LegislationSouth Dakota's House voted 41-26 to eliminate the medical marijuana oversight committee. Sponsor Rep. Tim Goodwin calls it unnecessary bureaucracy as the bill heads to the Senate.
InternationalGermany's medical cannabis imports are surging as Europe builds pharmaceutical-based programs while U.S. operators await federal rescheduling decisions that may carry more symbolic than practical weight internationally.
Science & ResearchNew research links high-potency cannabis to increased psychosis rates, forcing the legal cannabis industry to reckon with public health concerns as THC concentrations in products far exceed historical levels.
LegislationNebraska lawmakers unanimously advanced funding measures for the state's new Medical Cannabis Commission, including commissioner salaries and application fee authority, as the state moves to implement its voter-approved medical marijuana program.
