Tightening or Turning Point? Australia, Texas, and Canada Readdress Psychedelic & Cannabis Boundaries
Australian regulators target 50+ clinicians for overprescribing cannabis, Dallas halts voter-backed marijuana reforms, and a Canadian court orders review of psilocybin access.
This week’s headlines signal a mounting need for operational discipline and regulatory agility. Australia’s crackdown on cannabis prescribers and AHPRA’s guidance shift suggest that looser medical frameworks are now under tighter review. In the U.S., Dallas halting a voter-approved reform and Kentucky facing lawsuits over licensing reveal persistent policy fragility even in maturing markets. At the same time, Tilray’s decision to freeze its reverse split, paired with European expansion and debt conversion, shows operators recalibrating under financial pressure. With public support soaring and science sending mixed safety signals, industry leaders face a strategic paradox as a growing demand and shrinking tolerance for missteps.
Regulatory
Australia targets over 50 practitioners in cannabis prescription crackdown
Regulators cite “excessive prescribing” and launch investigations into dozens of clinicians prescribing medicinal cannabis without adequate screening.
Canada court sides with psilocybin therapy advocates
A federal appeals court rules against Health Canada’s rejection of a psilocybin therapy application, forcing a policy review that could unlock clinical access.
Dallas officials halt voter-approved marijuana depenalization
Despite the majority of public support, city leaders in Texas suspended the enforcement of decriminalization, revealing state-local friction.
Delaware to begin adult-use cannabis sales next month
Retail cannabis officially launches August 1st, marking the state's full transition to a legal market and setting up $43M+ in projected tax revenue.
Kentucky faces lawsuit over medical cannabis license lottery
A new suit challenges the constitutionality of the state’s license lottery system, threatening to derail dozens of current medical cannabis permits.
Market
Tilray’s European pivot and reverse split freeze spook investors
Tilray halts its reverse stock split while converting debt and gaining Italian import access—moves that signal strategic urgency amid volatility.
TerrAscend raises $79M in debt, prioritizes early repayment
The Canadian-American operator shores up balance sheets and eyes future acquisitions after securing non-dilutive financing.
AHPRA tightens prescribing guidelines: cannabis not first-line treatment
Australia’s new national guidelines now mandate full medical review and discourage first-line cannabis use, signaling a shift toward restrictive regulation.
Pfizer-backed tech fuels cannabis-light cultivation
Investment in biotech and advanced lighting reveals Big Pharma’s growing interest in low-THC cannabis applications and production efficiency.
Delta-9 infused lemonades hit the wellness beverage market
Collective Project releases THC-infused sparkling lemonades, expanding cannabis into lifestyle and functional beverage categories.
Scientific
Cannabis reduces anxiety and depression, Johns Hopkins finds
Patients using THC-dominant cannabis report sustained symptom relief over six months, strengthening the case for mental health applications.
FDA study links even low-dose CBD to liver stress
5% of healthy participants showed elevated liver enzymes after taking 5mg/kg CBD, raising safety questions for non-prescription products.
CBD combo compound matches Zoloft in animal depression model
Artelo’s ART12.11 reverses depressive behavior in rats, showing potential as a dual-action antidepressant with cognitive benefits.
New study links cannabis use to doubled heart disease death risk
A large-scale review finds significantly elevated risks of cardiovascular mortality, stroke, and heart attack among cannabis users.
MAHA movement links psychedelic therapy to holistic health
Health activists promote psychedelic medicine as part of a "healthy America" vision, highlighting the rising convergence of advocacy and financial interest.
Social
87% of Americans now support cannabis legalization
New Pew data shows overwhelming public support for both medical and adult-use legalization, with over half of adults reporting lifetime use.
Elite athletes embrace cannabis, eroding stigma
From Olympic teams to pro boxers, CBD and THC are now part of training routines—reframing cannabis as a recovery tool, not a vice.
These are the riskiest drug-taking behaviors, a new analysis finds
Polydrug use and simultaneous consumption of alcohol and THC pose the highest risk for adverse outcomes, according to addiction experts, adding complexity to harm-reduction strategies.
Cannabis influencers face legal blowback as advertising rules tighten
Brands partnering with content creators on Instagram and TikTok may be violating state and federal advertising laws, legal experts warn. With no clear lines between personal storytelling and promotion, regulators are increasingly eyeing influencer deals as non-compliant.