I was told (correctly) that cannabis in the Dominican Republic is illegal. Minutes later, after a conversation that felt less like a transaction and more like a mutual acknowledgment, I was holding a joint that was not quite a joint like I’ve ever seen before, rolled not in thin white paper but in cigar leaf… Keep Reading
By Zack Huffman via Cultivated News Driving the news: After a two-year drought, this year could finally see more states legalize. 2024 broke a six-year streak of at least one state legalizing every year. And last year was also a dud for legalization, but momentum persists even as the federal government continues to stall on… Keep Reading
A Brooklyn nonprofit founder embodies the intent of New York’s equity law – yet after three years, his dispensary remains closed. By the time Shanduke McPhatter finished building out his cannabis dispensary in Brooklyn—after following every step the state laid out—New York had already opened hundreds of licensed adult-use stores. His wasn’t one of them.… Keep Reading
As cannabis beverages gain ground, study after study shows alcohol consumption dropping. You don’t need a conspiracy to explain the panic. You just need the numbers. Alcohol sales are down. Cannabis beverages are up. And suddenly, a lot of people are very concerned about weed making people puke. That timing is hard to ignore. When… Keep Reading
A teenager in California died from an overdose after spending months asking ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, about drug use and so-called “safe” dosages. He had friends. He studied psychology. He liked video games. According to his mother, the clearest signs of anxiety and depression didn’t show up in his social life, but they appeared… Keep Reading
A new chapter begins for Chilean politics. After winning the runoff election against candidate Jeannette Jara by 58% to 41%, President-elect José Antonio Kast represents another milestone in the country’s political back-and-forth: a society seemingly unafraid to swing from right to left, and back again. But what about the future of progressive policy agendas under… Keep Reading
After weeks of judging across two coasts, the MJBowl has revealed the 2025 MVPs. These first-place winners represent the top performers in every major product category in California and New York, reflecting the finest craftsmanship, freshest ideas and most expressive regional styles shaping the market right now. This year’s list highlights standout entries across both… Keep Reading
Cookies, the California-based cannabis brand, is facing a significant financial setback after a state judge ordered the company’s main royalty streams redirected to a former business partner, a move the company’s own attorney warned could trigger an “immediate insolvency event.” According to court records cited by Marijuana Business Daily, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Dennis… Keep Reading
Scott Blakey never set out to be a legend — but after our recent talk, it’s clear the breeder known as Shantibaba helped shape how modern cannabis is grown, tested, and understood. Indoor Growing Changed Everything Scott described his early cultivation days in Melbourne, Australia, in the 80s, studying sciences at the university. He would… Keep Reading
Pennsylvania just put data behind why clear standards matter. After a ten-month investigation across Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester counties, prosecutors found that nearly every “Farm Bill compliant” product sold in smoke shops was, in fact, regular marijuana. According to the findings, undercover officers purchased 144 hemp-branded products from retailers across the state. More than 93%… Keep Reading
