TLDR – TDR News highlights – February 5th to 6th

Get a quick update on today’s essential news! We’ve condensed the most important information about Cannabis, Psychedelics, Crypto, and AI into a brief format, saving you time and keeping you informed as you start your day. 

Cannabis:

The Beneish M-Score can be utilized in the cannabis industry to detect earnings manipulation, commonly referred to as the risk of companies “cooking their books.” When applied to 43 companies covered by TDR, it flagged four – Ascend Wellness, Cronos, Grown Rouge, and PharmaCielo – for potential financial irregularities. This result is not an accusation of guilt but rather indicates a need for further investigation into these red flags, underscoring the importance of diligent financial analysis in the sector. For a complete detailed article, visit the TDR website.

Village Farms International (NASDAQ: VFF) was awarded the “Re-Imagine Award for Outstanding Employer” by Options Community Services for its inclusive workplace practices in British Columbia Canada. President & CEO Michael DeGiglio acknowledged the collaboration with Options Community Services, which supports social services near Village Farms’ Delta greenhouses. The company, specializing in Controlled Environment Agriculture, is a major supplier of fresh produce and is expanding into the cannabis and CBD markets in North America and internationally. Again, we are seeing another example of Cannabis being great employers and community members.

4Front Ventures Corp. (CSE: FFNT,OTC: FFNTF) has energized its Matteson Facility in Illinois, marking a key step in its expansion and preparing to launch its third state dispensary in Norridge. This facility positions 4Front for increased production and market share, supporting its revenue-doubling goal. The Norridge dispensary is located in a high-traffic retail area, enhancing 4Front’s retail presence. The company’s strategic expansion aims to optimize operations and increase its footprint in the competitive cannabis market.

MariMed Inc. (CSE: MRMD,OTC: MRMD), a multi-state cannabis operator, has announced it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results on March 6, 2024, after market close. The company will conduct a conference call on March 7, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. EST to discuss these results. Interested parties can access the webcast through MariMed’s Investor Relations website, where a playback of the call will also be available for those who cannot attend the live event. Keep track of earning dates with TDR Cannabis Earnings Calendar at our website.

Cannabis Policy:

Germany, led by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, is set to legalize cannabis, focusing on health and youth protection. The law will decriminalize cannabis and address the black market, with plans for controlled personal use and cultivation. Despite some opposition, the bill is likely to pass, making Germany the third EU nation to legalize cannabis, with potential economic impacts in sales and tourism. Read our detailed article at the TDR Website!

Cannabis Studies:

A study in Emergency Departments across Denver, Portland, and Sacramento assessed the link between cannabis, alcohol, and MVC risk among drivers. Blood and breathalyzer tests, alongside interviews, were used to analyze drug and alcohol use. Findings indicated that alcohol use, alone or with cannabis, increased MVC risk, whereas cannabis alone did not. Higher cannabis use levels, self-reported or measured, were not linked to greater MVC odds, with high cannabis use showing lower MVC odds. The study suggests focusing on actual driving behaviors and clinical signs for DUI assessments, highlighting alcohol’s significant role in MVC risk over cannabis. This shows us that there is so much more to learn about Cannabis than what may be commonly accepted views.

Psychedelics:

Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (CBOE: AWKN, OTC: AWKNF), focusing on treatments for addiction, received conditional approval for its shares to list on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) after planning to delist from Cboe Canada. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing shareholder liquidity and reducing costs. Awakn has also concluded the fifth tranche of a private placement financing, raising a total of $3,030,377 to support general working capital. The CSE has lower costs for companies, which is important as pre revenue psychedelic companies have to be extremely careful with their cash burns.

Clearmind Medicine Inc. (Nasdaq: CMND, CSE: CMND) received a divisional patent in China, strengthening its IP in psychedelic therapeutics. The company holds 15 patent families, including 24 pending and 27 granted patents worldwide. Its MEAI molecule research targets binge behaviors and Alcohol Use Disorder, with plans for commercialization in regulated markets.

Crypto:

Electricity use of cryptocurrency mining is in the news each day. In 2023, cryptocurrency mining globally used as much electricity as Australia, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). This process, crucial for adding new tokens to the blockchain, represents 0.2% to 0.9% of the world’s and 0.6% to 2.3% of the U.S.’s electricity demand, similar to states like Utah or West Virginia. Concerns over crypto mining’s energy consumption include potential grid strain, increased electricity prices, and higher CO2 emissions. With the industry expanding in the U.S., where the share of bitcoin mining jumped to 37.8% by January 2022, about 137 mining facilities are now spread across 21 states, notably in Texas, Georgia, and New York. The U.S. government, through an EIA emergency request, is set to collect data on the energy use of commercial crypto miners to address these concerns.

Yep, another story about electricity use of cryptocurrency mining – Conifex Timber (TSX:CFF) is a Canadian company that expanded into cryptocurrency mining, lost its court case against B.C. Hydro, which had been asked to supply large amounts of electricity for crypto mining operations. The B.C. Supreme Court supported the provincial government’s 18-month pause on new power connections for crypto miners, citing the decision as reasonable. B.C. Hydro stated Conifex’s operations would have used 2.5 million megawatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient for over 570,000 apartments. The court ruling highlighted concerns over crypto mining’s extensive energy use and minimal job creation, with the pause intended to safeguard the power supply for other needs and support clean energy objectives amidst rising demands.

Where is Satoshi? The search continues! In a London trial, Craig Wright’s claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of bitcoin, was called a “brazen lie” by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (Copa). Copa’s argument highlighted Wright’s lack of proof, including failure to produce the private keys for bitcoins mined by Nakamoto, valued at around $47 billion. Wright’s defense argued his significant role in bitcoin’s creation, suggesting no other claimant to Nakamoto’s identity has come forward. The case, which delves into Wright’s claims and their legal repercussions, is expected to conclude next month with Mr Justice Mellor’s written decision.

AI:

Deep Fake Financial Crime is here, be vigilant!  In Hong Kong, an employee was defrauded of HK$200 million in a cybercrime involving AI and deepfake technology to mimic company officials. This case highlights a shift towards using AI for criminal purposes, posing significant risks to security measures. Deepfake technology, in particular, challenges traditional authentication methods, urging a need for increased security protocols and awareness. Read the full story on the TDR Website.

Pleasure is good! Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been key in deciphering a Herculaneum papyrus scroll from AD 79, revealing a Greek philosopher’s thoughts on pleasure. Utilizing 3D mapping and AI to interpret the ink on these carbonized scrolls, researchers uncovered insights from Philodemus, an Epicurean philosopher, on how the availability of resources impacts pleasure. This contrasts with the Stoic philosophy’s indifference to pleasure, marking a significant discovery in the study of ancient philosophical views on pleasure.

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