Best of the Week: October 31 – November 6, 2025

Let’s dive into the top stories shaping the conversation this week. Summaries of each article are listed below.

1. Virginia Cannabis Control Authority Forms New Practitioner Training Program

After receiving feedback from the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority practitioner survey that took place in the Spring of 2025, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) announced that the organization has formed a partnership with TheAnswerPage.com. With this partnership, the CCA will be able to provide optional online training for practitioners so that they may have the tools that can help with providing further patient care.

“This training empowers practitioners to meet their patients where they are,” said Jamie Patten, Acting Head and Chief Administrative Officer at the CCA. “Patients often come to their doctors with questions about cannabis, but many providers aren’t sure how to respond. This optional course gives them the science-based foundation they need to feel confident in those conversations.”

2. Cannabis Testing Labs' Fraud Lawsuit Against Revvity Health Sciences Highlights Need for Better Lab Regulations

Our latest Cannabis Analysis column by Brian C. Smith, PhD dives into important news in the cannabis analysis industry.

A coalition of cannabis testing labs is suing Revvity Health Sciences (formerly PerkinElmer, or PE) for $1 billion, alleging fraud and breach of warranty. The dispute centers on PE's alleged claim that one instrument could accurately analyze the 60+ pesticides required by California law, which typically requires two instruments. Dr. Smith proposes solutions like better compensation for application scientists and improved lab training and regulation.

Explore the full September/October issue of Cannabis Science and Technology here.

3. Notice of Pleading Issued By New York OCM to Omnium Canna

On October 20, the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) released a statement declaring it had filed charges against cannabis processor and distributor Omnium Health (Omnium Canna) and had issued a statewide recall of associated products. In addition to details on the investigation, the OCM also released commentary on its actions.

Felicia A.B. Reid, Acting Executive Director of OCM stated, in part: “Recalling Omnium’s products from dispensaries will present short-term challenges for some retailers and consumers. However, OCM assesses that the impact will likely be modest and fleeting. The long-term outlook for the New York cannabis market remains strong, and OCM expects other licensed and compliant processors—those small businesses marginalized by Omnium’s alleged conduct—to move quickly to fill retail supply gaps.”

4. Nurse-Led Education on Medical Cannabis May Support Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Finds

Medical cannabis proved to be a topic of interest for our audience this week. In the study, “Symptom management, adherence to therapy, and filling the gaps of medical cannabis therapy: a qualitative study on the importance of nursing consultations for fibromyalgia patients,” researchers aimed to investigate the role of nurses in therapeutic treatment education intervention to bridge knowledge gaps.

“Our findings suggest that patients with FM require specialist clinical advice from initial diagnosis through to the end of treatment, and that nurses with in-depth knowledge of fibromyalgia and treatment options are the best professionals to perform this task; furthermore, healthcare professionals should receive a better education about MC-based treatment regimens,” the researchers stated.

5. Clinical Trial Finds Cannabis Oil May Help with Symptoms of Systemic Sclerosis

Another study, “Efficacy of cannabis oil on appetite and quality of life in systemic sclerosis patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial,” examined the effects of a cannabis oil on appetite, inflammatory markers, and quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and anorexia or malnutrition.

Overall, the researchers noted potential for future studies to confirm the findings. “Cannabis oil demonstrated a trend toward improving appetite, satisfaction with eating, body weight, daily calorie intake, and quality of life in SSc patients with anorexia or malnutrition,” they stated. “While most outcome measures did not reach statistical significance, the treatment group showed a significant increase in hunger VAS scores.”