[US] Massachusetts Regulators Bust THC Potency Fraud at Scale

One in five cannabis flower samples tested by Massachusetts’ Cannabis Control Commission came back with results outside acceptable ranges — meaning products on shelves were likely labeled with inflated THC numbers. This isn’t a new problem in the industry, but catching it via sting operations signals regulators are done looking the other way. Potency inflation erodes consumer trust and disadvantages honest operators. The CCC hasn’t announced enforcement actions yet, but the pressure is on.

Source: Massachusetts cannabis regulators catch THC potency inflation in recent sting

[US] Ohio Cannabis Sales Heading for a Record Year

Ohio has moved $684.6 million in combined medical and adult-use cannabis sales through mid-July, with 150.3 million units sold. At that pace, the state is on track to blow past any previous annual record. Adult-use only launched in 2024, so this is still a market finding its ceiling. It hasn’t found it yet.

Source: Ohio cannabis sales increase, on pace to set new annual record

[Global] Curaleaf Makes Unsolicited Bid to Acquire Aurora Cannabis

Curaleaf has launched an unsolicited takeover bid for Aurora Cannabis in a move that would reshape the European medical cannabis landscape considerably. Both companies have been building European footholds, and whoever controls the combined entity would hold serious leverage across Germany, the UK, and beyond. Aurora’s board hasn’t exactly rolled out the welcome mat. This one will get messy before it gets resolved.

Source: Curaleaf’s Aurora Bid Is a Fight for Europe’s Cannabis Crown

[US] UCSF Study Links Cannabis Inhalation to Fewer Premature Heartbeats

Researchers at UC San Francisco found that habitual cannabis users experienced roughly 9% fewer premature heartbeats on days they inhaled cannabis compared to days they didn’t. The study wasn’t designed to prove causation, and the researchers are appropriately cautious about what it means. Still, it’s the kind of finding that complicates the standard “cannabis is bad for your heart” narrative. More research needed, as always.

Source: Study Shows Inhaling Cannabis Could Reduce Premature Heartbeats

[Brazil] Brazil’s Hemp Industry Pushes for a THC Limit That Actually Fits the Climate

Brazilian hemp stakeholders are pushing regulators to raise the industrial hemp THC threshold from 0.3% to 1.0%, arguing the standard 0.3% limit was designed for temperate climates and is biologically unsuitable in tropical growing conditions. The argument is straightforward: heat and humidity push THC levels up naturally, making compliant cultivation nearly impossible. Getting this limit wrong doesn’t just hurt farmers — it kneecaps an entire emerging sector before it starts.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

[Australia] Australian Medical Cannabis Prices Keep Dropping as Product Count Nears 2,000

The Australian medical cannabis market now has nearly 2,000 registered products, and flower prices have continued falling over the past six months, with budget options leading the compression. More supply, more competition, lower prices — the market is maturing in the way most commodity markets do. Good news for patients, tighter margins for producers.

Source: Prices still falling as total product numbers climb towards 2,000

Today’s stories point to three things happening at once: markets maturing and getting more competitive (Ohio, Australia), regulators tightening their grip on product integrity (Massachusetts, California), and consolidation pressure building at the global level with Curaleaf’s Aurora move. The industry is past its wild west phase — now it’s just business, with all the complications that come with it.

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[US] Massachusetts Regulators Catch Labs Inflating THC Numbers

The state’s Cannabis Control Commission ran a sting and found roughly 20% of 60-plus cannabis flower samples tested outside acceptable potency ranges. That means one in five products on shelves may have been lying to customers about how strong they are. THC inflation has been an open industry secret for years — regulators are finally putting receipts to it. This is the kind of enforcement that either cleans up the market or exposes how widespread the problem actually is.

Source: Massachusetts cannabis regulators catch THC potency inflation in recent sting

[US] Curaleaf Makes Unsolicited Bid for Aurora — Europe Is the Prize

Curaleaf has launched an unsolicited takeover bid for Aurora Cannabis in what would be one of the biggest consolidation moves the industry has seen. This isn’t about the US market — it’s about positioning in Europe, where Aurora has meaningful infrastructure and Curaleaf wants to compete for dominance. Hostile bids are rare in cannabis. The fact that one is happening signals that European market share is now worth fighting over aggressively.

Source: Curaleaf’s Aurora Bid Is a Fight for Europe’s Cannabis Crown

[US] Ohio Cannabis Sales on Track for Record Year

Ohio has moved $684.6 million in combined medical and adult-use cannabis sales through July 11, with 150.3 million units sold. At that pace, the state is set to break its annual sales record well before December. Adult-use launched in Ohio in mid-2024, and the ramp-up is behaving exactly as legalization playbooks predict — slow start, then a sustained climb.

Source: Ohio cannabis sales increase, on pace to set new annual record

[US] UCSF Study: Inhaled Cannabis Linked to Fewer Premature Heartbeats

Researchers at UCSF set out to find a connection between cannabis and cardiac irregularities and found the opposite — habitual users had about 9% fewer premature heartbeats on days they inhaled cannabis compared to days they didn’t. The study doesn’t establish causation and the researchers are careful about that. Still, it adds to a growing body of evidence that the cardiovascular risk narrative around cannabis is more complicated than previously assumed.

Source: Study Shows Inhaling Cannabis Could Reduce Premature Heartbeats

[Brazil] Brazilian Industry Pushes for Higher THC Limit on Industrial Hemp

Brazilian stakeholders are lobbying to raise the industrial hemp THC threshold from 0.3% to 1.0%, arguing the international standard was designed for temperate climates and simply doesn’t work in tropical growing conditions. Heat and humidity naturally push THC levels higher in hemp plants, making compliance difficult even with compliant genetics. If Brazil wants a functioning hemp sector, the science-versus-policy gap here is going to need a practical fix.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

[Australia] Australian Medical Cannabis Prices Keep Falling as Product Count Nears 2,000

Flower prices in Australia’s medical cannabis market have continued to drop over the past six months, with budget products leading the compression. The total number of available products is approaching 2,000 — a sign of a maturing, competitive market rather than a consolidating one. More choice and lower prices are good for patients. Whether margins hold up for producers is a different question.

Source: Prices still falling as total product numbers climb towards 2,000

Today’s dominant themes: regulatory credibility is being tested in the US, with Massachusetts catching potency fraud and California pulling child-attractive packaging; consolidation is heating up globally with Curaleaf making a move on Aurora for European position; and maturing markets like Ohio and Australia are showing what normalized cannabis commerce actually looks like — steady sales growth, falling prices, and more products than anyone can keep track of.

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[US] Michigan Wants to Kill Its 24% Wholesale Cannabis Tax

A Republican state rep has introduced a bill to repeal Michigan’s 24% wholesale cannabis tax, arguing it inflates supply chain costs and hands the illicit market a competitive edge. The logic is straightforward: legal cannabis can’t win on price when it’s taxed before it even hits a shelf. Whether the bill gets traction in a legislature that likes tax revenue is another question entirely.

Source: Michigan Bill Seeks to Repeal 24% Wholesale Cannabis Tax

[US] Illinois Adult-Use Retailers Can Now Apply for Medical Permits

Illinois is opening a new lane for adult-use cannabis retailers to obtain medical permits, which carries real regulatory upside — including eligibility to register with the DEA and potential tax advantages. It’s a structural shift that blurs the line between adult-use and medical markets. Operators who qualify have good reason to pursue the dual status.

Source: Illinois adult-use cannabis retailers can apply for medical permits, with DEA and tax benefits possible

[US] Curaleaf Takes a Swing at Aurora in Hostile Takeover Bid

Curaleaf has launched a hostile takeover bid for Aurora Cannabis, attempting a playbook Aurora itself once ran on smaller targets. Aurora’s cash-heavy balance sheet gives its board room to resist, negotiate, or simply wait Curaleaf out. Previous cannabis takeover battles have gone in unexpected directions — this one will be no different.

Source: When the Aggressor Becomes the Target

[US] Louisiana Voters Want Hemp Beverages Regulated, Not Banned

A Cygnal survey commissioned by the Louisiana Hemp Beverage Coalition found 70% of likely voters prefer regulation of hemp beverages over an outright ban. Forty-seven percent want state-level rules, 23% prefer federal oversight, and only 14% support a ban. Politicians pushing prohibition in this state are officially out of step with their own constituents.

Source: Supermajority of Likely Louisiana Voters Prefer Regulation of Hemp Beverages Over Ban

[Global] Global Cannabis Use Up 40% in a Decade — Illicit Market Keeping Pace

Some 256 million people used cannabis in the past year, up 40% over the last decade as reform spreads globally. The catch: the illicit market isn’t shrinking proportionally, and overlap between legal and illegal consumption is growing. Legalization is expanding access, but it hasn’t solved the black market problem it promised to.

Source: Global Cannabis Use Up 40% Over Last Decade as Reform Spreads, but Overlap With Illicit Market Growing

[Brazil] Brazil Pushes for Higher THC Limit on Industrial Hemp

Brazilian stakeholders are lobbying to raise the industrial hemp THC threshold from 0.3% to 1.0%, arguing the current standard was designed for temperate climates and is unworkable in tropical growing conditions. The science behind their case is sound — heat and humidity naturally push THC levels higher in hemp plants. Getting regulators to accept it is the harder part.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s dominant themes: tax policy remains one of the biggest structural threats to legal cannabis markets, and the gap between what voters want and what legislators do continues to widen. Globally, the industry is growing fast — but the illicit market is growing with it, which is the uncomfortable truth no reform advocate likes to dwell on.

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[US] Michigan Lawmaker Moves to Kill the Tax That’s Shutting Down Dispensaries

A new 24% cannabis tax in Michigan is doing exactly what bad tax policy does — crushing legal operators and pushing consumers elsewhere. A state lawmaker is now pushing for a full repeal, calling the levy “deceitful” and pointing directly to store closures as evidence. Michigan’s legal market was already under margin pressure before this landed. Adding nearly a quarter on top of existing taxes was always going to end badly for somebody, and it did.

Source: Michigan lawmaker wants ‘deceitful’ new cannabis tax that’s closing stores repealed

[Canada] Curaleaf Goes Hostile on Aurora Cannabis

Curaleaf Holdings has announced a hostile takeover bid for Aurora Cannabis, offering a mix of cash and stock to acquire all outstanding shares. Aurora, which has a cash-rich balance sheet, has room to resist — or at least to demand a better number. The move flips a familiar script: Aurora built its early empire partly through aggressive acquisitions, and now it’s on the receiving end. Whether this closes or turns into a prolonged fight, it reshapes the North American cannabis consolidation story either way.

Source: Cannabis MSO Curaleaf Planning Hostile Takeover of Canada’s Aurora Cannabis

[Global] Global Cannabis Use Up 40% in a Decade — But the Illicit Market Came Along for the Ride

256 million people used cannabis in the past year as of 2024, a 40% increase over the last decade driven largely by legal reform spreading across markets. The catch: the illicit market hasn’t shrunk proportionally — it’s grown alongside the legal one in many jurisdictions. Reform is expanding the overall user base faster than regulated markets can absorb it. That’s a policy design problem, not a legalization problem.

Source: Global Cannabis Use Up 40% Over Last Decade as Reform Spreads, but Overlap With Illicit Market Growing

[Canada] Organigram Posts Record Revenue After European Acquisition

Organigram’s Q3 revenue hit CA$105.8 million — a 49% jump — after its acquisition of Germany’s Sanity Group reshuffled the company’s revenue mix. International sales now account for 35% of total revenue, up sharply from prior quarters. The numbers make a clear case that Canadian LPs willing to move aggressively into Europe are finding real upside. Staying domestic-only is increasingly a losing strategy for mid-to-large operators.

Source: European acquisition leads to record revenue for Canadian cannabis LP Organigram Global

[US] Federal Bill Would Put Intoxicating Hemp Drinks Under Alcohol Rules

A bipartisan bill — the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act — would subject intoxicating hemp beverages to the same three-tier distribution system, labeling requirements, and advertising rules that govern alcohol. Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Greg Landsman (D-OH) introduced the measure Monday. The hemp beverage category has grown fast precisely because it operated in a regulatory gap; this bill is a direct attempt to close it. Whether it passes or not, it signals that Congress is paying attention to the shelf.

Source: Federal Bill Would Regulate Intoxicating Hemp Beverages Like Alcohol

[Brazil] Brazil’s Hemp Industry Wants a THC Limit That Reflects Reality

Brazilian stakeholders are pushing to raise the industrial hemp THC threshold from 0.3% to 1.0%, arguing that tropical growing conditions make the lower limit scientifically inappropriate and commercially unworkable. The 0.3% standard was built around temperate climates and doesn’t translate well to Brazil’s heat and humidity, which naturally push THC expression higher. It’s a reasonable technical argument, and one that other equatorial markets will likely need to have eventually. Regulators setting limits without accounting for local agronomy is a recurring problem worldwide.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s news circles three fault lines: tax and regulatory design breaking legal markets from the inside (Michigan), consolidation pressure reshaping the competitive landscape at the operator level (Curaleaf-Aurora, Organigram), and a global user base that’s growing faster than policy can manage. The illicit market overlap data and Brazil’s THC limit fight both point to the same underlying issue — frameworks built for other contexts don’t hold when conditions change.

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[US] Michigan GOP Moves to Kill 24% Wholesale Cannabis Tax as Businesses Fold

A Republican state rep has introduced a bill to repeal the 24% wholesale cannabis tax that Michigan passed last year. The tax was part of a deal brokered by Gov. Whitmer and legislative leaders, but operators say it’s pushing already-squeezed businesses toward closure. It’s rare to see a GOP lawmaker ride to the rescue of cannabis companies, but high taxes have a way of building strange coalitions. Whether the bill gains traction in a divided legislature is another question entirely.

Source: Michigan GOP Lawmaker Seeks To Repeal Marijuana Tax Increase As Rising Costs Cause Businesses To Close

[US] Alcohol Industry Backs Bill to Keep Hemp THC Drinks Legal and Regulated

Major alcohol retailers and wholesalers are supporting a congressional bill that would carve hemp-derived THC beverages out of an upcoming federal ban and instead regulate them like alcohol. The industry argument is straightforward: low-dose hemp drinks belong in a regulated adult marketplace, and banning them just pushes consumers toward unregulated channels. It’s a notable alignment of interests — the alcohol sector isn’t usually known for welcoming new intoxicants into its lane. A parallel bipartisan proposal is generating cautious optimism among hemp beverage operators that Congress might actually act before the ban kicks in.

Source: Alcohol Retailers And Wholesalers Support Bill To Keep Hemp THC Drinks Federally Legal

[US] Rescheduling Opens the Door on Cannabis Trademarks and IP

Federal marijuana rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III is doing more than unlocking 280E tax relief — it’s reshaping what intellectual property protections cannabis operators can actually pursue. Brands that previously had no path to federal trademark registration are now reassessing their options. Operators who built value in their brand without IP protection are being advised to move quickly. It’s the kind of legal housekeeping the industry has been forced to skip for decades.

Source: How federal marijuana rescheduling changes the game for cannabis trademarks and IP protections

[EU] Germany’s Cannabis Market Hits €1.15bn as Insurance Reimbursement Fades

Germany’s medical cannabis market crossed €1.15 billion in 2026, with private self-pay prescriptions now accounting for roughly 75% of total market value, according to a new Business of Cannabis whitepaper. That’s a significant structural shift — the reimbursement era that drove early market growth is effectively over, and the market is holding anyway. The numbers suggest German patients are willing to pay out of pocket, which is either a sign of strong demand or a healthcare system doing what healthcare systems do. Either way, it’s the largest medical cannabis market in Europe and it’s still growing.

Source: New Report: Germany’s Cannabis Market Crosses €1.15bn as Reimbursement Era Ends

[Global] Israel Reopens Anti-Dumping Case Against Canadian Cannabis Exports

Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry has relaunched its anti-dumping investigation into Canadian medical cannabis, just one week after the same case was shut down over a procedural defect. This time, investigators found a route that bypasses the Finance Minister who had previously blocked the process. Canada has become a dominant force in global medical cannabis exports, and several importing countries are watching the Israeli case closely. The speed of the reopening signals this isn’t going away quietly.

Source: Isreal Reopens Canadian Cannabis Dumping Case, This Time With a Route Around Its Finance Minister

[Brazil] Brazilian Industry Pushes for 1.0% THC Limit in Hemp, Citing Tropical Climate

Brazilian hemp stakeholders are lobbying regulators to raise the permissible THC threshold for industrial hemp from 0.3% to 1.0%, arguing the standard benchmark was designed for temperate climates and doesn’t account for how tropical heat and humidity affect plant chemistry. The argument has scientific logic behind it — heat accelerates THC biosynthesis, making the 0.3% limit difficult to consistently meet in Brazilian growing conditions. If regulators agree, it would meaningfully expand the viable cultivation base in one of the world’s largest agricultural economies. Other tropical-climate hemp producers will be watching the outcome.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s themes are tension between taxation and market survival, the unresolved federal status of hemp THC products, and international trade friction around Canadian cannabis exports. Germany’s market data is a bright spot; Brazil’s THC threshold debate is a reminder that global cannabis regulation still has significant regional science to catch up on.

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[US] Senate Buys Hemp THC One More Month — Then the Real Fight Starts

The Senate voted to delay the federal crackdown on intoxicating hemp products by one month, tabling an amendment that would have kept the original November 12 ban date. That delay has lit a fuse: hemp and alcohol advocates are now racing to lock in permanent protections, while the licensed cannabis industry is pushing hard to let the ban stand. A bipartisan bill has already dropped in Congress to regulate hemp THC beverages like alcohol — a framework that would effectively carve them out of any future prohibition. With $28 billion in hemp sector value on the line, this is not a quiet regulatory skirmish.

Source: Senate extends temporary lifeline for hemp THC – and sets up fight with cannabis industry

[US] Houston Puts Marijuana Enforcement on the November Ballot

Local officials in Houston are set to decide this week whether to place the Houston Freedom Act on the November ballot, a voter-initiated measure that would make misdemeanor marijuana possession the lowest possible enforcement priority for police. Activists with Ground Game Texas submitted nearly 40,000 signatures from registered voters to get it there. If it passes, Houston would join a growing list of cities that have effectively deprioritized low-level cannabis arrests through local action — even as Texas state law remains unchanged. Texas being Texas, enforcement would still be legal; it just wouldn’t be the priority.

Source: Houston Voters Could Make Marijuana Arrests The ‘Lowest Possible’ Priority For Police With Ballot Measure In November

[US] California’s Fraud Case Against a Testing Lab Falls Apart in Court

A prominent California cannabis testing laboratory remains shut down despite a judge finding that state regulators failed to substantiate their allegations of fraud and public harm. The case unraveling doesn’t mean the lab reopens — it means the regulator’s justification for keeping it closed no longer holds up legally. It’s an uncomfortable situation for California’s cannabis oversight apparatus, which has already faced scrutiny over how it handles enforcement. Shutting down a lab without provable cause has downstream consequences: every operator that lab tested for is now in limbo.

Source: California cannabis regulators’ fraud case against testing lab unravels

[US] New York Lets Cannabis Go to the Farmers Market

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill allowing adult-use cannabis sales at approved farmers markets and community events, giving cannabis microbusinesses a direct retail channel outside of traditional dispensaries. The move is designed to benefit small-scale growers who have struggled to compete in a market still dominated by distribution bottlenecks and unlicensed competition. Participating businesses will need to meet specific requirements, but the access is real. New York continues to build out its legal market through incremental moves while the bigger structural problems — illicit market, slow licensing — grind on in the background.

Source: New York Gov. Signs Law to Allow Farmers Market Cannabis Sales

[EU] Germany’s Cannabis Market Hits €1.15 Billion — Mostly Out of Pocket

Germany’s medical cannabis market crossed €1.15 billion in 2026, with private self-pay prescriptions now accounting for roughly 75% of total market value, according to a new whitepaper from Business of Cannabis. That shift away from insurance reimbursement is significant: it means the market is growing on consumer demand, not public health system support. Patients are paying themselves, which raises access questions but also signals genuine willingness to pay. Germany remains the dominant medical cannabis market in Europe by a considerable margin.

Source: New Report: Germany’s Cannabis Market Crosses €1.15bn as Reimbursement Era Ends

[Brazil] Brazil’s Hemp Industry Pushes for a THC Limit That Accounts for the Heat

Brazilian stakeholders are advocating for a 1.0% THC limit for industrial hemp, arguing that the internationally standard 0.3% threshold is poorly suited to tropical growing conditions where heat and humidity naturally push THC levels higher. The argument is straightforward: a limit calibrated for temperate European climates penalizes Brazilian farmers for their geography, not their intentions. Whether regulators agree will determine how viable domestic hemp cultivation becomes in one of the world’s largest agricultural economies. The science behind the climate argument is sound; the regulatory response remains to be seen.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

The hemp THC fight in the US Congress is the week’s defining story — one month of delay, a bipartisan bill, and two industries lined up on opposite sides. Germany’s market crossing €1 billion on private spend and Brazil’s push to rewrite THC standards for tropical agriculture both point to the same pattern: regulatory frameworks built for other contexts are running into real-world friction everywhere they’re applied.

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[US] Georgia's Medical Cannabis Expansion Is a Victim of Its Own Success

Georgia's medical cannabis patient registry exploded after lawmakers eased access requirements, and state officials are now drowning in applications. The surge was apparently so far beyond projections that processing has slowed to a crawl. Officials issued the kind of statement you issue when you're genuinely surprised: "unprecedented volume." Worth noting that a backlog of patients waiting for legal access is a policy problem, not a capacity problem.

Source: So Many Georgia Patients Are Signing Up For Expanded Medical Marijuana Law That Officials Are Having Trouble Processing Them All | https://www.marijuanamoment.net/so-many-georgia-patients-are-signing-up-for-expanded-medical-marijuana-law-that-officials-are-having-trouble-processing-them-all/

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[US] Rhode Island Takes Another Run at Cannabis Licensing

Rhode Island's Cannabis Control Commission has reopened its retail licensing process after the first attempt was killed by a federal court order and subsequently voided. The litigation is now resolved, and regulators say they're focused on implementing the amended Cannabis Act efficiently. For operators who've been waiting, "efficiently" is doing a lot of work in that sentence.

Source: Rhode Island Officials Restart Marijuana Business Licensing Process After End Of Litigation That Blocked Prior Effort | https://www.marijuanamoment.net/rhode-island-officials-restart-marijuana-business-licensing-process-after-end-of-litigation-that-blocked-prior-effort/

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[US] Massachusetts Town Ordered to Repay Cannabis Businesses $2M It Spent on a Police Dog

A judge ruled that a Massachusetts municipality must pay three cannabis retailers ove

[US] Rhode Island Restarts Cannabis Licensing After Court Fight Voids First Attempt

Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission reopened retailer applications Friday after a federal court order halted and ultimately voided the state’s first licensing round. It’s a do-over nobody wanted, but here they are. Officials say they’re focused on implementing the amended Cannabis Act “as efficiently as possible” — a phrase that will mean more once the licenses actually get issued. The state’s legal adult-use market can’t fully mature until this process stops getting derailed.

Source: Rhode Island Officials Restart Marijuana Business Licensing Process After End Of Litigation That Blocked Prior Effort

[US] Senate Delays Hemp THC Ban, Buying Industry More Time

The US Senate voted down an amendment that would have kept the November federal recriminalization of hemp THC products on schedule, instead advancing a provision to delay the ban. The move aligns with a position Trump had pushed for, and gives the hemp industry more runway to lobby for permanent regulatory solutions rather than an outright ban. Nobody should read this as a victory — it’s a delay, not a reprieve. The clock is still running.

Source: Senate Votes To Delay Hemp Ban, Giving Lawmakers More Time To Craft Regulations To Keep THC Products Legal

[US] Massachusetts Town Must Repay Cannabis Operators $2M It Spent on Roads and a Police Dog

A judge ruled that a Massachusetts city owes three cannabis retailers more than $2 million after it misspent host community agreement funds on road improvements and, notably, a police dog. These agreements were supposed to directly benefit cannabis businesses or the communities impacted by them — not the municipality’s general wishlist. It’s a clean legal win for operators who’ve long complained that HCA funds get treated as a slush fund. Other towns should take note.

Source: Why a Massachusetts town owes the cannabis industry $2 million

[US] New York Lets Cannabis Microbusinesses Sell at Farmers’ Markets and Pop-Ups

New York has legalized cannabis sales at farmers’ markets and pop-up events for licensed microbusinesses, opening up new retail channels beyond traditional storefronts. It’s a practical move that gives small operators more ways to reach customers without the overhead of a permanent location. New York’s rollout has been notoriously slow and chaotic, so this counts as a meaningful policy win. Whether the regulatory paperwork matches the ambition remains to be seen.

Source: New York legalizes cannabis sales at farmers’ markets, pop-up events

[EU] Germany’s Cannabis Market Hits €1.15 Billion as Insurance Reimbursement Era Ends

Germany’s medical cannabis market reached approximately €1.15 billion in 2026, with private self-pay prescriptions now accounting for roughly 75% of total market value, according to a new whitepaper from Business of Cannabis. The shift away from insurance reimbursement hasn’t killed the market — patients are simply paying out of pocket. That’s a sustainability question worth watching: a market built on self-pay is a market sensitive to economic pressure. Still, €1.15 billion is not a number anyone was projecting five years ago.

Source: New Report: Germany’s Cannabis Market Crosses €1.15bn as Reimbursement Era Ends

[Brazil] Brazilian Industry Pushes for Higher THC Limit in Hemp Rules

Brazilian stakeholders are lobbying for a 1.0% industrial hemp THC threshold, arguing the standard 0.3% limit used in temperate climates is scientifically inappropriate for tropical growing conditions. The argument has merit — heat and humidity naturally push THC levels higher in hemp crops, making compliance with a 0.3% cap genuinely difficult regardless of intent. If Brazil wants a viable domestic hemp sector, the regulation needs to reflect local agricultural reality. The debate is ongoing, but the science is on the growers’ side.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s news clusters around regulatory inflection points: the US Senate is buying time on hemp rather than making hard decisions, state-level markets like Rhode Island and New York are still grinding through procedural obstacles, and Germany’s billion-euro market is quietly proving that medical cannabis demand doesn’t disappear when insurance stops covering it. The policy environment remains unstable, but the commercial momentum is hard to argue with.

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[US] Square Cuts Off CBD and Hemp Sellers Ahead of Federal Ban

Square sent notices to businesses telling them to stop selling hemp and CBD products on its platform, citing the upcoming federal recriminalization of many hemp-derived goods. This is what a payment processor does when the legal ground shifts under their feet — they don’t wait around. The ban is set to take effect in November, and platforms with any exposure to federal risk are already moving. Businesses that built their model around hemp retail now have a deadline and a shrinking list of places to process payments.

Source: Square Tells Businesses To Stop Selling Hemp And CBD Products In Light Of Upcoming Federal Ban

[US] Dr. Oz Wants Senators to Pump the Brakes on the Hemp Ban

The head of CMS, Dr. Mehmet Oz, is pushing senators to reject an amendment that would keep the hemp ban on schedule, arguing it would block progress toward making full-spectrum CBD available through Medicare. It’s a strange twist — a Trump-aligned appointee lobbying against a Republican-backed ban. His argument is that seniors stand to lose access to clinically appropriate CBD products before any Medicare coverage framework can be put in place. The politics here are genuinely messy.

Source: Dr. Oz Asks Senators To Delay Hemp Product Ban So Seniors Can Get CBD Products Covered Through Medicare

[US] Republican Lawmakers File Amendments to Stop Hemp THC Recriminalization

GOP members of Congress proposed amendments to prevent the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products, pushing for new regulations, taxes, and a delay to the ban rather than a full rollback. It signals that the ban doesn’t have clean unified support even within the party that backed it. Whether these amendments gain traction before November is another matter. The hemp industry is essentially lobbying for its own regulatory framework as a survival strategy.

Source: Republican Lawmakers Propose Amendments to Avert Federal Recriminalization of Hemp THC Products

[US] Massachusetts Town Must Repay Cannabis Operators $2M It Spent on Roads and a Police Dog

A judge ruled that a Massachusetts municipality owes three cannabis retailers more than $2 million after misspending community impact fees on road improvements and, yes, a police dog. These fees are meant to offset the local costs of hosting cannabis businesses — not fund general municipal projects. The ruling is a meaningful precedent for operators who suspect their contributions are being quietly redirected. Turns out “community impact” doesn’t mean whatever the town wants it to mean.

Source: Why a Massachusetts town owes the cannabis industry $2 million

[EU] Germany’s Medical Cannabis Market Hits €1.15bn as Insurance Era Winds Down

Germany’s medical cannabis market crossed €1.15 billion in 2026, with private self-pay prescriptions now accounting for roughly 75% of total market value, according to a new whitepaper from Business of Cannabis. That shift reflects the end of broad insurance reimbursement — patients are paying out of pocket, and the market is still growing. It’s a signal that demand is sticky even without subsidy support. Europe’s largest cannabis market continues to outperform cautious early projections.

Source: New Report: Germany’s Cannabis Market Crosses €1.15bn as Reimbursement Era Ends

[Brazil] Brazilian Industry Pushes for Higher THC Limit in Hemp Rules

Brazilian hemp stakeholders are lobbying for a 1.0% THC threshold for industrial hemp, arguing that the standard 0.3% limit is unworkable in tropical growing conditions where heat and humidity push THC levels higher naturally. The science behind the argument is credible — the 0.3% standard was not designed with equatorial climates in mind. If Brazil adopts the higher limit, it could set a regional precedent for other tropical-climate producers. The rule change would remove a significant compliance barrier for a market with serious agricultural scale.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

The US hemp market is in genuine turmoil — payment processors, senators, and Dr. Oz are all pulling in different directions ahead of a November ban that still doesn’t have unified political support. Internationally, Germany’s market growth and Brazil’s push for climate-appropriate regulations show that the rest of the world is building frameworks while the US debates whether to dismantle one.

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[US] Senate Gets Messy as Democrat Joins GOP Push to Ban Hemp THC

A leading Senate Democrat has crossed the aisle to support a Republican effort to strip hemp THC protections from a must-pass spending bill — the same bill that’s already creating friction between GOP lawmakers and President Trump. The move signals that the push to ban intoxicating hemp products has bipartisan momentum, which is bad news for an industry that thought it had more runway. Meanwhile, a separate trio of senators introduced the Hemp Planting Predictability Act to delay the ban from November 12 to December 11 — buying exactly one month. Thirty-five state attorneys general are also pushing back, which suggests this fight is far from settled.

Source: Senate Democrat signs onto Trump-defying Republican proposal to ban hemp THC

[US] Cannabis Lobby Accused of Handing Ammunition to Prohibitionists on Hemp

An op-ed from Aaron Edelheit of Mindset Capital calls out regulated cannabis companies for allying with longtime prohibitionists to push bans on hemp THC products. His argument is blunt: by demonizing hemp-derived cannabinoids, cannabis lobbying groups are legitimizing the same frameworks and the same people who have spent decades fighting all THC commerce. It’s a rare instance of someone inside the industry publicly naming the contradiction. Whether the companies involved see it that way is another matter.

Source: Cannabis Companies Should Stop Teaming Up With Prohibitionists To Ban Hemp THC Products (Op-Ed)

[US] Colorado Cultivation Site Closes Days After Native Roots Acquisition

Another Colorado cannabis cultivation operation has gone dark following an acquisition, with layoffs coming just days after Verdant — a cannabis investment and operations platform — closed its purchase of the Native Roots retail stores on July 31. It’s a familiar post-acquisition pattern in a state where oversupply has made cultivation the first thing buyers look to cut. Colorado’s grow capacity has been contracting for years, and this move suggests Verdant is betting on retail, not production.

Source: Another Colorado cannabis cultivation operation shuts down after acquisition

[US] Michigan Retailer Loses License for Selling Pounds Straight From the Vault

A Michigan cannabis retailer is surrendering its adult-use license after regulators found the company sold bulk cannabis directly from the store vault and moved recalled products that were under administrative hold. The action came following complaints from two separate employees. The consent order is the outcome — the license is gone. Running a dispensary like a back-alley wholesale operation tends to end this way.

Source: Michigan Cannabis Retailer to Surrender License Following Bulk Transactions Directly from Vault

[US] CBD Shows “Potentially Performance-Enhancing” Properties for Athletes, Review Finds

A new scientific review of 70 peer-reviewed studies concludes that CBD holds potentially performance-enhancing properties and may function as an effective post-exercise recovery tool. Researchers assessed the compound’s therapeutic efficacy specifically in the context of sports participation. The findings add weight to what many athletes have been practicing informally for years — though the World Anti-Doping Agency already removed CBD from its prohibited list back in 2018. Science is catching up to the anecdote.

Source: CBD Has ‘Potentially Performance-Enhancing Properties’ In Sports And May Help Athletes Recover After Exercise, Study Shows

[Brazil] Brazil Pushes for Higher THC Threshold in Industrial Hemp Rules

Brazilian stakeholders are formally advocating for a 1.0% THC limit for industrial hemp, arguing that the standard 0.3% benchmark fails to account for the realities of growing cannabis in a tropical climate. Heat and humidity naturally push THC levels higher, making compliance with the lower threshold difficult and putting legitimate farmers at legal risk. The push reflects a broader global conversation about whether THC limits designed for temperate climates make any scientific sense elsewhere.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

The dominant story today is the hemp THC regulatory standoff in Washington — bipartisan pressure to ban, counterpressure from states and some lawmakers to delay, and the cannabis industry drawing fire for its role in the fight. Elsewhere, science continues building a quiet case for cannabinoids in sports recovery and workplace productivity, even as the business side grinds through acquisitions, closures, and license surrenders.

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[US] Hemp THC Ban Gets a Senate Lifeline — For Now

The Senate stepped in to give hemp THC beverages a temporary reprieve from federal recriminalization, while Republican lawmakers filed amendments to delay the ban and introduce new regulations and taxes instead. Meanwhile, the White House is actively lobbying Congress on the issue — and questions about whose interests are actually being served haven’t gone away. A top Trump aide’s family ties to the hemp industry are being denied as a factor, but the timing isn’t doing anyone any favors.

Source: Senate Gives Hemp THC Drinks A Reprieve

[US] Virginia Hemp Operators Sue to Block Ban as NC Prepares Its Own

Hemp THC merchants in Virginia are taking their fight to court after state authorities announced new rules taking effect this month. North Carolina is watching closely — and appears ready to follow with its own ban. The legal and legislative walls are closing in on the hemp THC market from multiple directions simultaneously.

Source: Virginia hemp THC operators sue to block ban as North Carolina hemp THC ban looms

[US] Puerto Rico Signs Psychedelics Executive Order

Governor Jenniffer González-Colón signed an executive order aimed at positioning Puerto Rico as a leader in clinical psychedelics research for severe mental health and substance use disorders. Veterans are specifically named as a target population. It’s an executive order, not legislation, so its durability depends entirely on who holds the office next.

Source: Puerto Rico Governor Signs Psychedelics Executive Order

[US] Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Posts Fastest Growth in a Decade

A recent law easing patient access in Georgia has triggered a surge in medical cannabis registrations — the fastest growth the state’s program has seen in ten years. It’s a straightforward case of what happens when you reduce friction: more people sign up. Other restricted-access states should probably take notes.

Source: Georgia medical cannabis patient growth continues to surge

[Australia] NSW Passes Driving Reform for Medical Cannabis Patients

New South Wales’ lower house passed legislation allowing medicinal cannabis patients to drive with detectable THC in their system — a significant shift from the previous zero-tolerance approach that made legal patients de facto unable to drive. Australia’s SAS-B prescription approvals also exceeded 20,000 for the third consecutive month in July, the second-highest monthly figure of the year. The patient market here is large, growing, and now getting a few more rights to go with it.

Source: NSW lower house passes driving reform for cannabis patients

[Brazil] Brazil Pushes for 1.0% Hemp THC Limit, Citing Tropical Climate

Brazilian industry stakeholders are advocating to raise the industrial hemp THC threshold from 0.3% to 1.0%, arguing the lower limit is simply not achievable under tropical growing conditions. The science behind the climate argument is sound — heat and humidity push THC expression higher in hemp plants. Whether regulators move on it is a different question.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

The dominant thread today is regulatory pressure on hemp THC in the US — a market fighting simultaneous battles at the federal, state, and legal level. Beyond that, two quieter but meaningful stories: Australia’s medical cannabis infrastructure keeps maturing, and Brazil is starting to shape its own hemp standards around local reality rather than borrowed benchmarks.

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[US] Hemp THC Drinks Get a Few More Months — Senate Kicks the Ban to December

The US Senate has moved to delay the federal ban on hemp-derived THC products until December, handing the industry a short reprieve rather than a solution. Republican lawmakers also filed amendments proposing new regulations and taxes as an alternative to outright recriminalization. The hemp beverage sector, which has grown rapidly as alcohol companies pivot toward cannabis consumers, now has roughly four months to push for a permanent fix. Nobody’s popping champagne — December will come fast.

Source: US Hemp Industry Wins a Stay of Execution as Senate Delays Ban Until December

[US] North Carolina Governor Tells Legislature to Go Big or Go Home on Cannabis

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is publicly pushing the Republican-controlled legislature to pass full adult-use legalization rather than a narrow bill restricting hemp THC products. Stein framed legalization as the more responsible path, arguing it creates a regulated market that protects minors — a pointed counterargument to the GOP’s stated concerns about hemp products reaching kids. North Carolina remains one of the larger southeastern states without a legal adult-use market. The governor’s leverage is limited, but the pressure is on record.

Source: North Carolina Governor Pushes Lawmakers To Create A ‘Well-Regulated’ Legal Marijuana Market Instead Of Passing A Limited Hemp Bill

[US] More Americans Use Cannabis Daily Than Cigarettes or Alcohol

Federal survey data from the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health puts daily cannabis consumers at 21.4 million Americans, ahead of daily cigarette smokers at 19.9 million and daily drinkers. The numbers reflect a sustained shift in consumption habits that has been building for years. For an industry still federally prohibited, that’s a significant cultural milestone. The policy framework has not caught up with the behavior.

Source: More Americans Report Daily Use of Cannabis than Cigarettes and Alcohol

[US] Delaware Clears $53 Million in Cannabis Sales During Its First Year of Retail

Delaware legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023 but didn’t open retail until August 1, 2025. In its first year, the market generated $53.4 million in sales and $8 million in tax revenue. It’s a modest start compared to larger states, but Delaware is a small state — the per-capita numbers are respectable. Year two will be the real test as the market matures and more operators come online.

Source: Delaware cannabis sales hit $53.4 million in market’s first year

[US] Verano Sues New Jersey Over Mandatory Labor Union Agreements

Multi-state operator Verano has filed a federal lawsuit against New Jersey officials challenging the state’s requirement that cannabis companies sign labor peace agreements with unions as a condition of operating. Verano’s filing is direct: the company says it never wanted the agreements and only accepted them under compulsion. The case raises constitutional questions about whether states can impose labor organization requirements as a licensing condition. New Jersey isn’t the only state with similar rules, so the outcome could have broader industry implications.

Source: Marijuana Business Sues New Jersey Officials In Federal Court Over Labor Union Requirements

[Australia] Australian Senate Inquiry Calls for Sweeping Hemp Industry Reforms

A federal senate inquiry in Australia has recommended significant changes to the country’s industrial hemp sector, pushing for simplified regulations to unlock the crop’s commercial potential. The recommendations come as hemp reform discussions are active across multiple continents. Separately, a Melbourne pharmacy is facing TGA legal action over 44 alleged advertising breaches — a reminder that regulatory enforcement in Australia’s cannabis and hemp space is very much active. Two different ends of the spectrum in one market, same week.

Source: Federal senate inquiry recommends major hemp reforms

The dominant thread today is regulatory uncertainty — hemp THC products in the US have a December deadline and no clear resolution, North Carolina is stuck between a governor pushing full legalization and a legislature eyeing half-measures, and New Jersey’s labor requirements are now in federal court. Underneath all of it, daily cannabis use in America has quietly overtaken both cigarettes and alcohol, a data point that makes the pace of federal policy look increasingly out of step.

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[US] Senate Buys Hemp Industry One More Month — Barely

The Senate tucked a provision into a key funding bill to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products until December 11. That’s roughly 30 days of breathing room for an industry that generates billions annually. Alcohol retailers are cheering the move, calling it time to push Congress toward a “responsible federal framework.” Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers have filed amendments proposing new regulations and taxes as an alternative to an outright ban. The clock is running.

Source: US Hemp Industry Wins a Stay of Execution as Senate Delays Ban Until December

[US] Texas Hemp Industry Sues State Over New Restrictions

Three hemp industry members have filed a federal lawsuit against Texas officials, arguing the state’s sweeping new restrictions on hemp-derived THC products violate commerce protections. The restrictions effectively threaten a multibillion-dollar industry that has operated legally in the state for over seven years. The lawsuit lands just days after the restrictions were announced, and the legal argument is straightforward: you can’t build an industry under one set of rules and then pull the floor out. Texas, never one for subtlety, may have a fight on its hands.

Source: Texas Officials Are Facing A Federal Lawsuit Over New Hemp Product Restrictions

[US] Senate Buys Hemp THC Industry More Time With Spending Bill Delay

Senate leaders slipped provisions into a new spending bill that would delay the planned federal recriminalization of hemp-derived THC products. The move stops short of a permanent fix but gives industry advocates more runway to push for comprehensive regulation rather than an outright ban. Hemp derivatives sitting below 0.3% delta-9 THC have existed in a legal gray zone for years, and this is essentially another extension of that ambiguity. The industry will take it.

Source: Senate Gives Hemp THC Products A Lifeline By Including Provisions To Delay Planned Federal Ban In New Spending Bill

[US] History Made and Then Settled: Cannabis Industry’s Biggest-Ever Strike Ends in Illinois

The largest strike in cannabis industry history wrapped up this week at a multi-state operator’s cultivation facility in Illinois. Teamsters officials led the work stoppage, which drew attention to labor conditions inside one of the country’s more established legal markets. The resolution details haven’t been fully disclosed, but the fact that this record was set at all says something about where the workforce conversation is heading.

Source: Largest strike in cannabis industry ends at MSO-owned Illinois cultivation operation

[US] Legalization Is Coming — But the FTC and FDA Might Be Your Bigger Problem

Everyone’s watching the DEA and DOJ, but federal cannabis legalization could unleash a different set of headaches from agencies like the FDA, FTC, and IRS. Operators who’ve built their businesses around Schedule I workarounds may find the post-legalization regulatory landscape just as complicated, only now with more oversight and fewer excuses. The advice here is simple: stop assuming legalization means deregulation.

Source: Forget the DEA and DOJ: When cannabis legalization happens, these are the feds to worry about

[EU] German Patient Groups Push Back Hard on Cannabis Insurance Cuts

Earlier this month the German government passed provisions that significantly reduce insurance coverage for medical cannabis prescriptions, and patient advocacy groups are not going quietly. The cuts affect patients who rely on statutory health insurance to cover their cannabis prescriptions — a group that grew substantially following Germany’s partial legalization reforms. Groups are now mobilizing legal and political challenges to reverse the decision.

Source: ‘Everything in Our Power’: German Patient Groups Fight to Overturn Cannabis Insurance Cuts

[EU] Spain’s Tobacco Bill Could Kill Cannabis Clubs Without Mentioning Them Once

Spain’s draft tobacco law, approved July 21, contains zero references to cannabis — and could still effectively shut down the country’s widespread cannabis social club network. If smoking restrictions apply to enclosed spaces where membership fees are charged, clubs face an existential compliance problem. Legislation that never names its target is a particular kind of policy problem.

Source: Spain’s Tobacco Crackdown Could Quietly Wipe Out Its Cannabis Clubs

[Brazil] Brazil Wants to Raise the Hemp THC Limit to 1.0% — Here’s Why

Brazilian stakeholders are formally advocating for a 1.0% THC threshold for industrial hemp, arguing the globally standard 0.3% limit is poorly suited to tropical growing conditions where heat naturally pushes THC levels higher. The current limit is making legal compliance difficult for farmers growing in Brazil’s climate, effectively putting them at regulatory risk through no fault of their own. It’s a technically grounded argument, and one other tropical-climate markets may soon echo.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s news circles a familiar theme: regulations written without full context are creating problems everywhere from Brazil’s hemp farms to Spain’s cannabis clubs to Germany’s medical patients. Meanwhile in the US, the hemp THC delay and the Illinois strike signal that both the legal and labor frameworks around cannabis remain works in progress.

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[EU] German Patient Groups Fight to Overturn Cannabis Insurance Cuts

Earlier this month, the German government voted through provisions that will significantly reduce insurance coverage for medical cannabis prescriptions. Patient advocacy groups are now mobilizing against the cuts, promising to use every available tool to reverse the decision. For patients who depend on reimbursement to afford their medication, the stakes are straightforward: pay out of pocket or go without. Germany’s partial legalization was supposed to expand access, not quietly price people out.

Source: ‘Everything in Our Power’: German Patient Groups Fight to Overturn Cannabis Insurance Cuts

[EU] Spain’s Tobacco Crackdown Could Quietly Wipe Out Its Cannabis Clubs

Spain’s government approved a draft tobacco law that doesn’t mention cannabis once — and yet could effectively shut down the country’s cannabis social clubs. If indoor smoking restrictions apply uniformly, the clubs lose their core function without a single cannabis-specific vote being cast. It’s the legislative equivalent of demolishing a building by pulling out one load-bearing wall and calling it renovation.

Source: Spain’s Tobacco Crackdown Could Quietly Wipe Out Its Cannabis Clubs

[US] Largest Strike in Cannabis Industry History Ends in Illinois

A labor stoppage at a multistate operator’s cultivation complex in Illinois has ended, closing out what Teamsters officials called the largest strike in cannabis industry history. The resolution marks a significant moment for cannabis workers organizing under traditional labor frameworks — a sign the industry is maturing whether operators want it to or not. Details on the final terms haven’t been fully disclosed, but the fact that it got this far will be noted in boardrooms across the sector.

Source: Largest strike in cannabis industry ends at MSO-owned Illinois cultivation operation

[US] Federal Legalization Is Coming — Watch the Agencies Nobody’s Talking About

Everyone’s focused on the DEA and DOJ when it comes to federal cannabis legalization, but a new analysis argues those aren’t the regulators that will define your business. The FDA, FTC, TTB, and others each have jurisdiction over pieces of the cannabis supply chain that operators have largely ignored. Companies that haven’t mapped their regulatory exposure beyond drug enforcement are in for a rude awakening when the landscape shifts.

Source: Forget the DEA and DOJ: When cannabis legalization happens, these are the feds to worry about

[US] Trump’s VA Touts ‘Massive Progress’ on Psychedelic Treatments for Veterans

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is publicly claiming significant momentum on psychedelic-assisted treatment programs for veterans dealing with PTSD and other mental health conditions. This follows an April executive order from President Trump directing health agencies to accelerate research into psychedelic therapies. Movement on this front has bipartisan support, which in the current environment is notable enough to be mentioned separately from the substance of the policy itself.

Source: Trump’s Veterans Secretary Touts ‘Massive Progress’ In Developing Psychedelic Treatments

[Brazil] Brazil Pushes for Higher THC Limit in Industrial Hemp Rules

Brazilian stakeholders are lobbying for a 1.0% THC threshold for industrial hemp, arguing the standard 0.3% limit used in temperate climates doesn’t account for how tropical heat and humidity affect plant chemistry. The current cap is borrowed from European and North American frameworks built around different growing conditions. If regulators don’t adapt the rules to local biology, legal hemp cultivation in Brazil will remain commercially unviable before it even gets started.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s stories circle a common theme: access under pressure. German patients are fighting insurance rollbacks, Spanish clubs face elimination through regulatory indirection, and Brazilian hemp growers are stuck with rules written for a different hemisphere. In the US, the industry’s first major labor strike has closed — a reminder that cannabis is now big enough to have the same workforce tensions as any other mature sector.

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[US] FAA Is Writing New Marijuana Rules for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers

Rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III has created an unexpected headache for the FAA: its existing standards for pilots and air traffic controllers no longer fit the regulatory reality. The agency’s Office of Aerospace Medicine is partnering with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to develop new guidelines, citing “operational risk” from the growing normalization of cannabis use. This is one of those downstream consequences of rescheduling that nobody put on the slide deck. Expect a slow, methodical process — the FAA doesn’t move fast about anything.

Source: FAA Considers New Marijuana Standards For Pilots And Air Traffic Controllers Under Trump’s Rescheduling Move

[US] Senior Living Community in Arizona Gets an On-Site Cannabis Kiosk

Retailer Life Is Chill and cannabis tech company LoveBud are installing the first cannabis kiosk at Sun Lakes Country Club in Chandler, Arizona, targeting senior residents who’d rather not drive to a dispensary. The kiosk is designed for simplicity — “easy mode,” per the announcement — which is a reasonable accommodation given that navigating most dispensary menus requires a degree in graphic design. More communities are expected to follow. The market for older cannabis consumers is real and largely underserved.

Source: Senior Citizens Can Order Marijuana On ‘Easy Mode’ From New Kiosk At Independent Living Community In Arizona

[US] Cannabis Industry’s Biggest-Ever Strike Ends in Illinois

A Teamsters-led work stoppage at a multi-state operator’s cultivation complex in Illinois has ended, closing out what union officials called the largest strike in cannabis industry history. Details on the settlement terms haven’t been fully disclosed, but the fact that it happened at all signals that labor organizing in this industry is maturing fast. Cannabis companies that built their brands on social justice messaging are now being held to that standard by their own workers. Fitting.

Source: Largest strike in cannabis industry ends at MSO-owned Illinois cultivation operation

[US] Federal Legalization Is Coming — And the FTC, IRS, and FDA Should Be on Your Radar

Everyone in cannabis is watching the DEA and DOJ, but MJBizDaily flags that federal legalization will bring a different set of agencies into play — including the FTC, FDA, and IRS — with compliance requirements that most cannabis operators aren’t built for. Marketing rules, product labeling standards, and tax structures will all shift in ways that could blindside businesses currently operating under state frameworks. The operators who survive federal legalization won’t just be the biggest — they’ll be the most prepared. Start reading the fine print now.

Source: Forget the DEA and DOJ: When cannabis legalization happens, these are the feds to worry about

[EU] Spain’s Tobacco Law Could Kill Cannabis Clubs Without Naming Them Once

Spain’s government approved a draft tobacco law on July 21 that doesn’t mention cannabis anywhere — yet could effectively shut down the country’s cannabis social clubs by restricting indoor smoking in shared spaces. The clubs operate in a legal gray area, and a blanket tobacco crackdown gives authorities a clean, politically convenient mechanism to close them without staging a direct confrontation over cannabis policy. Regulatory collateral damage, done quietly. Spanish club operators are now scrambling to assess their exposure.

Source: Spain’s Tobacco Crackdown Could Quietly Wipe Out Its Cannabis Clubs

[EU] German Patient Groups Push Back Hard on Medical Cannabis Insurance Cuts

On July 10, the German government passed measures that will significantly reduce insurance coverage for medical cannabis prescriptions, and patient advocacy groups are vowing to fight it with everything they have. The cuts affect patients who rely on statutory health insurance reimbursement — a coverage pathway that Germany made a central part of its medical cannabis framework. For a country that positioned itself as a model for regulated cannabis access, pulling reimbursement undermines the entire premise. Patients are understandably angry.

Source: ‘Everything in Our Power’: German Patient Groups Fight to Overturn Cannabis Insurance Cuts

Today’s news underscores two persistent tensions in cannabis: the gap between policy intent and regulatory execution — visible in Germany’s insurance cuts, Spain’s backdoor club restrictions, and the FAA’s scramble post-rescheduling — and the industry’s growing labor and workforce maturity, as the Illinois strike resolution makes clear. Legalization momentum continues, but the complications are multiplying at roughly the same pace.

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[US] California’s Treasurer Calls Prop 64 a ‘Complete Failure’ — Wants a Do-Over

At a hearing on cannabis banking challenges, Treasurer Fiona Ma didn’t mince words: the voter-approved legalization law is broken and needs to be replaced via a new ballot initiative. She wants the next version to actually prioritize consumers and small businesses rather than creating the current mess. A decade in, California’s legal market is still losing ground to the illicit market, so the diagnosis isn’t exactly shocking. The state that was supposed to show the country how it’s done is now asking for a second shot.

Source: California Treasurer Calls Voter-Approved Marijuana Legalization Law A ‘Complete Failure’ That Should Be Replaced With A New Ballot Initiative

[US] DEA Rescheduling Hearings Winding Down — Four Possible Outcomes Ahead

The DEA’s administrative hearings on moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III are nearing their conclusion, a process that has dragged on far longer than most anticipated. The outcome will determine whether the federal government formally acknowledges cannabis has accepted medical use — with real consequences for taxation, research, and insurance coverage. Four possible outcomes remain on the table, ranging from full rescheduling to no change at all. The industry has been here before, so tempered expectations are warranted.

Source: DEA Marijuana Rescheduling Hearings Near Conclusion

[US] Virginia AG Stands Up a New Enforcement Unit for Hemp THC, Kratom, and Vapes

Virginia’s attorney general is consolidating oversight of hemp-derived intoxicants, kratom, and vaping products under a new dedicated enforcement unit. The move reflects growing frustration at the state level with a product landscape that has expanded faster than any regulator can track. Whether this unit has the teeth to meaningfully police the market remains to be seen, but the intent is clear: the gray market’s free ride in Virginia is getting shorter.

Source: Virginia Attorney General Launches Enforcement Effort On Hemp THC Products, Kratom And ‘Emerging Intoxicants’

[US] Hemp THC Drinks Are Being Served at Lollapalooza — Possibly for the Last Time

Hemp-derived THC beverages will be available at this year’s Lollapalooza in Chicago, marking a notable mainstream moment for the category. The catch: pending federal and state regulatory changes could make this the first and last time the festival serves them legally. Illinois lawmakers are moving to tighten restrictions on hemp THC products, putting the whole segment in a precarious position. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Source: Hemp THC drinks to be served at Chicago music festival Lollapalooza – for now

[EU] German Patient Groups Push Back Hard Against Insurance Coverage Cuts

Following a July 10 government vote that introduced sweeping cuts to medical cannabis insurance reimbursements, German patient advocacy groups are mobilizing to overturn the changes. Patients who relied on insurance coverage to access prescribed cannabis are now facing significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. The cuts represent a notable policy reversal in a country that was celebrated for its 2024 partial legalization. Patient groups say they will use every available avenue to fight the rollback.

Source: ‘Everything in Our Power’: German Patient Groups Fight to Overturn Cannabis Insurance Cuts

[Brazil] Brazil’s Hemp Industry Pushes for a 1.0% THC Limit to Reflect Tropical Reality

Brazilian hemp stakeholders are lobbying regulators to raise the permissible THC threshold for industrial hemp from 0.3% to 1.0%, arguing that the current standard is a poor fit for tropical growing conditions where higher THC expression is a natural consequence of the climate. The 0.3% benchmark was designed with temperate climates in mind and has become a persistent barrier for Brazilian farmers trying to operate legally. The outcome of this push could set a precedent for other equatorial hemp-producing nations facing the same agronomic reality.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s news clusters around regulatory stress points: California wants to rewrite its own rulebook, the DEA is finally nearing a decision on rescheduling, and Germany is cutting patient access just as its market was maturing. The hemp THC gray zone continues to produce daily skirmishes at festivals, state AGs’ offices, and in Congress — with no clear resolution in sight.

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[US] Texas Reinstates Delta-8 Ban — Felony Charges Now in Play

A Texas judge has reinstated the state’s ban on delta-8 THC and other synthetic hemp-derived products, effective this Friday. Austin police wasted no time clarifying their position: possession will be treated as a state jail felony, carrying 180 days to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000. This is a significant escalation for a product that was widely sold in gas stations and smoke shops across the state just days ago. Thousands of businesses and consumers are now scrambling.

Source: Texas ban on delta-8 THC, other synthetic hemp-derived products reinstated Friday

[US] Austin Police: Delta-8 Possession Is a Felony Starting Now

Austin PD confirmed they will enforce the reinstated Texas hemp ban as a criminal matter, not a civil one. Possession of delta-8 THC products is now a state jail felony under the Department of State Health Services classification. The penalty range — up to two years and $10,000 — puts casual consumers and small retailers in serious legal jeopardy overnight. The speed of enforcement leaves little room for compliance transitions.

Source: Austin Police Say Delta-8 THC Possession Will be Treated as a Felony

[US] Delaware Puts Age Limits, Potency Caps, and Taxes on Hemp THC Drinks

Governor Matt Meyer signed HB 373 into law, creating a regulatory framework for hemp-derived THC beverages in Delaware. The bill sets age restrictions, potency limits, and a tax structure — bringing these products under the kind of oversight that most states have largely ignored. It’s a contrast to the chaos unfolding in Texas and signals that some states are choosing regulation over prohibition. The hemp beverage market now has at least one more state with clear rules.

Source: Delaware Governor Signs Bill To Regulate And Tax Hemp THC Drinks

[US] Former Trump AG: Cannabis Has ‘Horrific Health Risks,’ Shouldn’t Be Rescheduled

A former attorney general from Trump’s first term is pushing back against federal rescheduling, calling marijuana a drug with “horrific health risks” and no legitimate medical value. The argument is that rescheduling would signal safety to the public and reduce penalties for illegal distribution. This position runs counter to the DEA’s own ongoing rescheduling review and the views of most medical professionals. It’s a notable political signal heading into the back half of 2026.

Source: Marijuana Has ‘Horrific Health Risks’ And No Medical Value, Former Trump Attorney General Claims

[Brazil] Brazilian Industry Pushes for Higher THC Threshold in Hemp Farming

Brazilian hemp stakeholders are lobbying for a 1.0% industrial hemp THC limit, arguing the current 0.3% international standard doesn’t account for the country’s tropical climate, where plants naturally produce more THC under heat and humidity. If the limit stays at 0.3%, large portions of Brazilian hemp crops could be classified as illegal regardless of farming intent. The argument is science-based and practical, but regulators have yet to move. Brazil’s hemp sector can’t scale meaningfully until this gets resolved.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

[Global] Cannabis Flavonoid Blocks Up to 99% of Cancer Cell Growth in Lab Tests

Standard Seed Corporation says it has identified a cannabis-derived flavonoid compound capable of inhibiting cancer cell growth by over 90% — and in some tests, up to 99% — under lab conditions. The company uses AI-assisted botanical research to identify and isolate compounds. Lab results are not clinical results, and the distance between a petri dish and a treatment is considerable. Still, it’s a data point worth watching as cannabinoid research continues to expand beyond THC and CBD.

Source: A Cannabis Flavonoid Stopped Up to 99% of Cancer-Cell Growth in Lab Tests

Today’s dominant story is the regulatory bifurcation on hemp THC — Texas banning and criminalizing delta-8 while Delaware builds a structured market for THC drinks. At the federal level, rescheduling opponents are getting louder. The science, meanwhile, keeps producing results that complicate the “no medical value” argument.

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[US] Daily Marijuana Use Now Outpaces Alcohol and Cigarettes

The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health is out, and the headline writes itself: 21.4 million Americans over 12 report near-daily marijuana use, putting it ahead of both daily drinking and daily smoking. That’s a federal survey saying this, not a cannabis trade group. The cultural shift has been visible for years, but now there’s hard government data to back it up. Worth noting that higher use doesn’t automatically mean problematic use — a distinction the report makes.

Source: Daily Marijuana Use Now Outpaces Alcohol Drinking And Cigarette Smoking, Federal Report Shows

[US] SNDL Takes Over Parallel, Claims World’s Largest Cannabis Title

SNDL, the Canadian giant that was once Parallel’s lender, has converted that debt into ownership, absorbing cannabis assets across three US states. The company is now calling itself the world’s largest cannabis operator by some measure — a claim that will get tested quickly in a market that hasn’t been kind to scale-for-scale’s-sake strategies. Parallel had big ambitions; SNDL now inherits both the assets and whatever came with them.

Source: Canadian cannabis giant SNDL claims to be world’s largest after Parallel takeover

[US] Vireo Growth Acquires Planet 13 in All-Stock Deal

Vireo Growth is picking up Planet 13 in an all-stock transaction, adding 36 dispensaries across three states including Planet 13’s flagship Las Vegas store and its consumption lounge. It’s a notable move for a mid-tier MSO looking to punch up its footprint fast without spending cash it may not have. Planet 13 built its brand on spectacle; whether that translates under new ownership is an open question.

Source: Cannabis MSO Vireo Growth to acquire Planet 13 in all-stock deal

[US] Hemp THC Ban Is Actually Pushing Consumers Into Licensed Dispensaries

A new poll from NuggMD finds that in states where intoxicating hemp-derived products have been banned, most consumers are migrating to licensed cannabis retailers rather than quitting outright. With federal recriminalization of hemp THC products set for November, this data hands a useful argument to licensed operators who’ve been competing against largely unregulated hemp products for years. The irony is that a crackdown may be doing licensed cannabis a quiet favor.

Source: Banning Hemp THC Products Drives Consumers Toward Licensed Marijuana Businesses, Poll Shows

[US] Republican Bill Seeks Federal Framework for Hemp THC Before Ban Kicks In

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced the Lawful Hemp Protection Act last week, aiming to establish uniform federal standards for hemp-derived consumables covering cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and labeling. The bill is a direct response to the November recriminalization deadline that’s been looming over the hemp industry. It’s a long shot to pass in time, but it signals at least some congressional appetite for regulation over prohibition on this one.

Source: Federal Bill Filed to Create Comprehensive Framework for Hemp THC Products

[Brazil] Brazil’s Hemp Industry Pushes for Higher THC Threshold

Brazilian stakeholders are lobbying for a 1.0% industrial hemp THC limit, arguing the current 0.3% cap is a standard designed for temperate climates that simply doesn’t hold up in tropical growing conditions. The case is agronomic: heat and humidity naturally push THC levels higher in hemp plants, making compliance with the existing limit commercially unworkable. It’s a practical argument, and one other tropical-climate countries will be watching closely.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s news is largely a story about consolidation and regulation colliding. The US market is reshaping fast — two major M&A moves in a single day, hemp policy in flux at the federal level, and a government survey confirming cannabis is now a mainstream daily habit. The industry is getting bigger and more regulated at the same time, and those two things don’t always move smoothly together.

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[US] Rhode Island Scraps First Licensing Round, Refunds Applicants $7,500 Each

Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission is restarting its retail licensing process after a federal court order halted the original round over residency requirement issues. Seventy-five applicants will receive full $7,500 refunds before the reset begins. It’s a costly do-over for both the state and would-be operators who’ve been waiting in limbo. The commission acknowledged there may be “questions about where things stand” — an understatement if there ever was one.

Source: Rhode Island Officials Will Refund Marijuana Business License Application Fees As Process Restarts Following Litigation

[US] Texas Court Clears Way for Hemp THC Ban to Take Effect

A Texas appellate court denied an emergency request from hemp businesses to keep a temporary injunction alive, effectively letting the state’s consumable hemp THC product ban move forward. The ruling didn’t settle whether the ban is actually legal — it just pulled the floor out from under operators who were still selling legally under the injunction. Hemp businesses now face an uncertain window as the underlying legal challenge continues. Wisconsin’s governor, watching the federal picture closely, is separately urging Congress to stop a planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products before it hits later this year.

Source: Texas Court Denies Emergency Request by Hemp Businesses to Delay THC Ban

[US] U.S. Cannabis Sales Fall Year Over Year for the First Time on Record

Total U.S. cannabis sales dropped from $32 billion to $29.94 billion — the first recorded year-over-year decline in the industry’s history. Price compression is the main culprit, driven by oversupply, market maturation, and intensifying competition across legal states. There’s no clean fix on the horizon: operators are caught between falling wholesale prices and consumers who’ve adjusted their expectations downward. The industry is now having a serious conversation about what sustainable pricing actually looks like.

Source: The cannabis industry is having a price compression crisis. What’s the solution?

[US] Michigan Supreme Court: Smelling Weed Isn’t Enough to Search Your Car

In a 5-2 ruling, Michigan’s Supreme Court held that law enforcement cannot conduct a warrantless vehicle search based solely on a low-level cannabis civil infraction. The court reasoned that probable cause for a civil infraction does not meet the constitutional threshold for a warrantless search under the Fourth Amendment’s automobile exception. The decision reflects the legal tension that legalization has created around long-standing police search justifications. It’s a meaningful civil liberties win in a state where cannabis has been legal since 2018.

Source: Michigan Supreme Court Rules Vehicle Searches Based Solely on Low-Level Cannabis Violations are Illegal

[US] Federal Data Confirms Teen Cannabis Use Keeps Declining as Legalization Expands

A new federal survey shows marijuana use among teens and young adults has continued its multi-year downward trend, directly contradicting the standard argument against adult-use legalization. NORML notes the data undermines years of alarmist predictions that legal markets would increase youth access. Germany’s experience tracks similarly — new peer-reviewed research shows teen use remained flat following its partial legalization under the Cannabis Act. Two data points don’t make a global law, but the pattern is getting harder to dismiss.

Source: Federal Survey: Marijuana Use Continues Multiyear Decline Among Teens, Young Adults

[Brazil] Brazil Pushes to Raise Industrial Hemp THC Limit to 1.0%

Brazilian hemp stakeholders are lobbying regulators to raise the country’s industrial hemp THC threshold from 0.3% to 1.0%, arguing the current limit is scientifically inappropriate for tropical growing conditions. High heat and humidity naturally push THC levels in hemp plants above the 0.3% ceiling, making compliance difficult regardless of cultivation intent. The push reflects a broader global conversation about whether THC limits designed for temperate climates translate to the rest of the world. Brazil’s hemp sector is growing fast — the regulatory framework needs to keep up.

Source: Brazilian Stakeholders Advocate for 1.0% Industrial Hemp THC Limit Amid Tropical Climate Concerns

Today’s news circles a few stubborn fault lines: U.S. cannabis markets are under real financial pressure as prices fall and regulatory chaos continues in states like Rhode Island and Texas. Meanwhile, the data on teen use keeps dismantling the old prohibition arguments — in the U.S. and Europe alike. Brazil’s THC limit fight is a reminder that global cannabis regulation still hasn’t caught up with basic agronomy.

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