Category Archives: News

In recent years, cannabis cultivators across North America have been hit by an invisible enemy that’s costing them billions in lost yield and reputation. Hop latent viroid (HLVd), once a quiet passenger in hop crops, has now emerged as one of the most destructive forces in commercial cannabis. It’s spreading rapidly through grow rooms, quietlyContinue reading “HLVd in Cannabis: How Hop Latent Viroid Is Destroying Yields and Potency”

CHICAGO, IL – Budtenders at Dispensary 33 (D33) in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood are making a significant move towards improving their working lives, initiating efforts to unionize their location with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This organizing drive highlights a growing trend within the rapidly expanding cannabis industry, where workers are increasingly seeking fair treatment, improved benefits,Continue reading “D33 Andersonville Budtenders Seek a Voice, Unionize with Teamsters for Better Workplace Conditions”

It’s been over a decade since medical cannabis became legal in Illinois, and nearly five years since recreational cannabis followed suit. While overall sales figures boast significant growth, a closer look reveals a struggling landscape for new shops and brands, while multi-state operators (MSOs) continue to dominate. The state’s recent pause on the next roundContinue reading “Illinois Cannabis Market: A Decade of Growth, A Future of Challenges”

Chicago, IL – In a significant move signaling a more nuanced approach to cannabis enforcement, Chicago Police Department (CPD) officials are set to revise their guidance, discouraging officers from conducting vehicle searches based solely on the scent of raw, unburnt cannabis. This forthcoming policy update comes in direct response to evolving interpretations of Illinois law byContinue reading “Chicago Police to Refine Cannabis Search Policy Amidst Shifting Legal Landscape”

In a decisive move that underscores the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency’s (CRA) intensified efforts to uphold industry standards, Sky Labs LLC, a cannabis processor based in Mount Morris, has officially lost its license to operate. This permanent revocation comes after a prolonged history of serious regulatory violations, signaling a new era of strict enforcement inContinue reading “Sky Labs License Grounded: Michigan CRA Sends Clear Message to Industry”

On Monday, June 30th, the Michigan cannabis landscape received a seismic shock as TerrAscend, a prominent North American cannabis company, announced its strategic exit from the state. This move will see the closure of all 20 of their dispensaries, including well-known names like Gage, Pinnacle Emporium, and Cookies, along with their four cultivation and processing facilities.Continue reading “TerrAscend Pulls Out of Michigan: A Symptom of a Struggling Market”

Illinois’ cannabis market is a powerhouse, boasting over $2 billion in sales and nearly half a billion in tax revenue in 2024. Yet, recent moves to pause new social equity dispensary licenses, intended to help these businesses get on their feet, might be missing the real issue. Instead of holding back progress, Illinois lawmakers shouldContinue reading “Don’t Pause Progress, Fix Illinois Cannabis Taxes!”

The Illinois cannabis industry is undergoing a significant operational shift this June as it fully transitions to Metrc, the state’s new official seed-to-sale tracking system. This move aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and compliance throughout the cannabis supply chain, from cultivation to consumer purchase. What is Metrc? Metrc, short for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance,Continue reading “Illinois Cannabis Industry Transitions to Metrc Seed-to-Sale Tracking System This Month”

Illinois has put a hold on issuing new adult-use marijuana store licenses, a move aimed squarely at empowering social equity entrepreneurs within the burgeoning cannabis industry. This pause, articulated by Democratic State Rep. La Shawn Ford to Crain’s Chicago Business, signals a pivotal moment for the state’s cannabis landscape. Currently, Illinois law sets a ceilingContinue reading “Illinois Hits the Brakes on New Cannabis Licenses, Aims to Boost Social Equity”

Good news is brewing in Illinois for medical cannabis patients, with a comprehensive “omnibus” bill, Senate Bill 2090, recently clearing the House Executive Committee. This legislative package, a compilation of previously stalled cannabis amendments, aims to iron out several kinks in the state’s cannabis program, from bolstering social equity efforts to streamlining operations for cultivatorsContinue reading “Illinois’ Next Cannabis Chapter: Is Universal Medical Access Finally Here?”

It appears the green rush in Illinois might be hitting a snag, at least for some of the folks working on the front lines of the cannabis industry. A growing trend suggests that dispensaries across the state are tightening their belts, and it’s the employees who seem to be bearing the brunt of the squeeze,Continue reading “Are Illinois Dispensaries Feeling the Pinch? A Deeper Look at Staffing Struggles”

It’s been a decade since medical cannabis became legal in Illinois under the compassionate care program. Ten years. And while we’ve certainly seen some positive shifts, the core promise of accessible, affordable medicine for qualifying patients feels increasingly distant. On the bright side, we’ve applauded the expansion of qualifying conditions, opening the door for moreContinue reading “10 Years In – Where’s the Compassion for Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients?”

The cannabis industry, often lauded for its explosive growth potential, is also a harsh mistress, especially for those struggling to navigate its complex financial landscape. The latest casualty to highlight this reality appears to be 4Front Ventures Corp., a multi-state operator (MSO) that just announced its Massachusetts subsidiaries have voluntarily filed for receivership. This move,Continue reading “4Front Ventures: Another MSO Down for the Count in a Tight Cannabis Market”

Big changes are brewing in Wheeling’s cannabis scene as OKAY Cannabis, located at 781 N. Milwaukee Ave., is set to close its doors by the end of May. This move will reduce Wheeling to a dispensary, Hatch, which has been operating in the area for several years. For residents and cannabis enthusiasts in the northwest suburbs, thisContinue reading “Okay Dispensary & Lounge Wheeling: Closing”