What began as an attempt to help a struggling Colorado grow operation turned into something much more alarming. Justin Trouard, CEO of licensed outdoor cultivator Mammoth Farms, was reviewing the company’s records when he stumbled upon a pattern of transactions that didn’t make sense on paper, but made perfect sense if something shady was goingContinue reading “Colorado’s Cannabis Inversion Scandal: A New Threat to the Legal Market”
Category Archives: News
Illinois Cannabis Company Lawsuit Exposes Predatory Practices, Calls for Stronger Licensing Standards
The Illinois cannabis market, while showing promise, is grappling with a troubling trend: the alleged practice of larger companies placing orders with smaller suppliers with little intention of paying. A lawsuit filed by Flora Arbor LLC against Harborside Illinois Grown Medicine, Inc. and Euphoria, LLC, highlights this issue, with the plaintiff claiming unpaid invoices totalingContinue reading “Illinois Cannabis Company Lawsuit Exposes Predatory Practices, Calls for Stronger Licensing Standards”
4Front Defaults on Lease for Illinois’ Largest Cultivation Facility – What’s Next?
The Illinois cannabis industry is no stranger to controversy, but the latest news about 4Front Ventures has stirred up a major conversation. According to a Reddit post on r/ILTrees, 4Front, who opened the state’s largest cultivation facility in Matteson, IL, last November, has already defaulted on its lease. The company, which leases the facility fromContinue reading “4Front Defaults on Lease for Illinois’ Largest Cultivation Facility – What’s Next?”
Tariffs Threaten Legal Cannabis: Price Hikes and Illicit Market Risks Loom
The cannabis industry has been blindsided by the latest wave of sweeping tariffs enacted by the U.S. government, and it’s about to hit both producers and consumers where it hurts most, the wallet. While some might joke about “smoking their way through the economic gloom,” the reality is far from lighthearted. With U.S. President DonaldContinue reading “Tariffs Threaten Legal Cannabis: Price Hikes and Illicit Market Risks Loom”
Indiana Lawmakers Push to Ban Cannabis Advertising
For many Illinoisans, a trip to Michigan often means passing through Indiana. Along the way, travelers are met with a familiar sight, billboards advertising fireworks that are illegal in Illinois, followed by a wave of cannabis advertisements as they approach the Michigan border. Dispensary deals, brand promotions, and cannabis-related sales are hard to miss. However,Continue reading “Indiana Lawmakers Push to Ban Cannabis Advertising”
North Side Dispensary Targeted in Early Morning Smash and Grab
Early Wednesday morning, a cannabis dispensary in Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood fell victim to an attempted smash and grab, leaving the storefront heavily damaged. According to police reports, officers responded to an alarm around 2 a.m. at the dispensary located in the 4700 block of North Milwaukee Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered a vehicle hadContinue reading “North Side Dispensary Targeted in Early Morning Smash and Grab”
Employee Ownership Takes Root: Dispensary 33 Becomes Illinois’ First Worker-Owned Cannabis Company
In a major win for employee empowerment and social equity, Dispensary 33 has officially become the first fully employee-owned cannabis dispensary in Illinois. The pioneering company, which operates two stores in Uptown and West Loop along with four partnered Spark’d locations, finalized the historic transition through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The sale wasContinue reading “Employee Ownership Takes Root: Dispensary 33 Becomes Illinois’ First Worker-Owned Cannabis Company”
Flora Arbor Stands Behind Clean Cannabis with Bold New Packaging Update
In an industry where transparency is key, Flora Arbor is taking a major step forward in ensuring consumers know exactly what they’re getting. The Illinois-based cannabis distributor has updated its packaging to include a simple yet powerful statement: “We Do Not Remediate.” For those unfamiliar, remediation refers to processes used to “clean” cannabis that hasContinue reading “Flora Arbor Stands Behind Clean Cannabis with Bold New Packaging Update”
Take Action: Oppose HB3061 and Support Fair Cannabis Regulations
Illinois cannabis consumers and business owners need to stand up against unnecessary overregulation. House Bill HB3061 would require special permits for cannabis consumption events, making it harder for businesses to host legal gatherings on their own property. This is excessive government interference that discourages industry growth and limits consumer access. Instead of forcing event organizersContinue reading “Take Action: Oppose HB3061 and Support Fair Cannabis Regulations”
Why Illinois Dispensaries Aren’t Selling Hemp Just Because It Contains THCA
The rise of hemp-derived THCA products has sparked conversations across the cannabis industry. While many states have embraced these products under the 2018 Farm Bill, Illinois dispensaries are steering clear. The reason? Illinois’ strict cannabis regulations require total THC calculations, meaning hemp products with high THCA often don’t meet the legal definition of hemp inContinue reading “Why Illinois Dispensaries Aren’t Selling Hemp Just Because It Contains THCA”
Illinois Senate Advances Bill to End Cannabis Odor-Based Vehicle Searches : What You Need to Know
In a significant move toward criminal justice reform, the Illinois Senate Criminal Law Committee has approved Senate Bill 42, introduced by State Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet). The bill, which passed with a 7-3 vote, seeks to prohibit law enforcement from using the odor of raw or burnt cannabis as the sole justification for searching aContinue reading “Illinois Senate Advances Bill to End Cannabis Odor-Based Vehicle Searches : What You Need to Know”
Ohio Senate Moves to Override Key Provisions of Voter-Approved Cannabis Law
The Ohio Senate, led by Republicans, has voted to override several key aspects of the state’s voter-backed cannabis legalization law, significantly altering regulations on home cultivation, social equity programs, THC limits, and more. Key Changes Proposed by the Senate In a 23-9 party-line vote, Senate Republicans approved a bill that would introduce the following changesContinue reading “Ohio Senate Moves to Override Key Provisions of Voter-Approved Cannabis Law”
THC-V: The Energizing Cannabinoid You Need to Know About
The cannabis plant contains over 100 cannabinoids, each offering unique effects and potential benefits. While THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the most well-known, there is a lesser-known cannabinoid gaining attention in the industry: THC-V (tetrahydrocannabivarin). Unlike THC, which is famous for its psychoactive effects and ability to increase appetite, THC-V provides a completely differentContinue reading “THC-V: The Energizing Cannabinoid You Need to Know About”
Operation Pipe Dreams: The Government’s Crackdown on Glass Pipes
In 2003, the U.S. government launched Operation Pipe Dreams, a nationwide sting targeting businesses and individuals selling glass pipes and other smoking accessories. This operation, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), led to the arrest of 55 people and the seizure of assets totaling millions of dollars. WhileContinue reading “Operation Pipe Dreams: The Government’s Crackdown on Glass Pipes”
Terpenes and Flavonoids in Cannabis: More Than Just THC
When most people think about cannabis, they focus on THC and CBD, the primary cannabinoids responsible for the plant’s psychoactive and therapeutic effects. But cannabis is far more complex. Two other groups of compounds, terpenes and flavonoids, play a crucial role in shaping the experience of each strain. These compounds influence the aroma, flavor, andContinue reading “Terpenes and Flavonoids in Cannabis: More Than Just THC”
COUCH LOCK’D 