Texas THC crackdown backlash: State Rep. James Talarico says Texas’s ban on certain synthetically derived hemp THC products will “benefit drug cartels” by pushing buyers back to the black market, after the Texas Supreme Court cleared enforcement and banned items can be prosecuted as state jail felonies. Enforcement push: Virginia State Police executed searches tied to two marijuana retail stores and a business owner’s home, seizing nearly $395,000 in cash, a Glock, and marijuana plus THC vapes/edibles and other drugs. Hemp THC lifeline: Senate leaders’ funding bill would delay a planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products until Dec. 11, giving industry groups more time to lobby for a federal framework. Legal fight: Virginia hemp businesses sued state officials in federal court over new THC product limits that remove a CBD:THC ratio allowance, arguing the changes turn legal hemp into illegal substances. Workforce win: Illinois Ascend Wellness cultivation workers ended a 30-day strike after ratifying a first Teamsters contract with higher wages and improved protections. Retail access for seniors: Two Arizona cannabis companies launched a senior-focused kiosk at a retirement community, aiming to reduce ordering barriers for adults 55+. Industry growth note: Tilray reported 11% fiscal-year revenue growth, with distribution up 21% driving most of the increase. Product/ops expansion: TOMI Environmental Solutions won an EPA registration expanding SteraMist® (BIT®) for use in post-harvest food safety plus cannabis and hemp cultivation. Legal precedent: Maryland’s appeals court said cannabis odor can justify a vehicle search when officers also know occupants are under 21.