AGP Executive Report

Federal Cannabis Policy: A DEA judge paused the federal adult-use marijuana rescheduling hearing to consider adding a new GAO report, which says the DEA and FDA have gaps in their scheduling processes—keeping rescheduling uncertainty front and center for the industry. State Legalization Watch: Florida activists filed two new ballot measures that would legalize adult-use cannabis statewide, while a separate report notes Missouri’s marijuana sales are climbing after legalization. Hemp Rule Shock: Buckhannon’s Moon Flower says it could face uncertainty under stricter federal THC rules, and U.S. Senate Republicans are pushing for an investigation into alleged Chinese criminal ties to U.S. cannabis and hemp markets. Business & Community: Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management is meeting in Rochester amid compliance concerns, and the Fond du Lac Band broke ground on a new downtown Duluth Anang Native Cannabis Co. dispensary opening in 2027. Legal/Compliance: A Michigan court ruled an Iosco County marijuana farm violated wetlands protections, ordering restoration and penalties to be set later. Industry Deals: Cannatrol’s Cool Cure Limited Edition program added Operation Green Healing as an exclusive veterans nonprofit partner.

Nonprofit Partnership: Cannatrol’s Cool Cure Limited Edition program adds Operation Green Healing as its exclusive veterans nonprofit partner, funding alternative wellness education via a sales percentage. Regulatory Push: Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management holds a Rochester listening tour to review adult-use sales, licensing, and supply ramp-up as harvest approaches. Legal/Market Pressure: A federal judge lets a Missouri cannabis competition lawsuit against Good Day Farm move forward, denying a motion to dismiss but allowing an amended complaint. Policy Debate: Trinidad and Tobago’s House advances a bill raising alcohol/tobacco purchase ages to 21 and setting cannabis possession and gambling at 25, with opponents warning about enforcement and consultation gaps. Industry & Safety: Utah touts its medical cannabis system as a model after DOJ rescheduling to Schedule III, emphasizing patient-facing infrastructure and regulated tracking. Local Expansion: The Fond du Lac Band breaks ground on a $2M downtown Duluth dispensary to drive foot traffic and add delivery options. Business Spotlight: Curaleaf launches its Breast Cancer Action Month “round up” campaign for Impact One Breast Cancer Foundation through October. Enforcement/Crime: Police investigate a theft of $1,100 in hemp products from a Florida Gulf gas station.

Cannabis Enforcement: Texas DPS and partners raided Scorpion Smoke Shops across North Texas, seizing thousands of suspected THC products plus marijuana and other drugs, alleging hemp/THC items exceeded legal limits. Local Crackdowns: Montgomery County, Pa., prosecutors charged 46 businesses for selling illegal THC products, including gummies reportedly topping 1,000 mg, after undercover buys. Regulatory Shift for THC Drinks: New Jersey’s liquor-store THC seltzer sales are set to end Nov. 14, with only state-licensed dispensaries allowed to sell higher-THC drinks; a federal redefinition could tighten the nationwide ban further. Policy & Zoning: Aurora, Colo., advanced a plan to restrict “high-risk” shop types by distance, including vape and cannabis dispensaries; Fairfield, Conn., voted to prohibit new smoke/vape/tobacco shops after a moratorium. Hemp & Industry: IND HEMP invested in new in-house fiber processing to produce spinnable hemp fiber for textiles, aiming to improve quality and scale. Business/Wellness: Cannatrol’s Cool Cure Limited Edition added Operation Green Healing as a nonprofit partner supporting veterans and military families.

Veterans Wellness Partnership: Cannatrol’s Cool Cure Limited Edition adds Operation Green Healing as its exclusive nonprofit partner, funding veterans’ programs via a cut from Veterans Causes sales. Medicinal Cannabis Supply Chain: Dunbar Pharmaceuticals says its WaterClear THC™ plant-derived dronabinol oral sprays are now available to UK specialist prescribers via IPS Pharma, with expansion plans for 2027. Cannabis Business Growth (Minnesota): A North Branch family turned a Minnesota dispensary application into Wild River Dispensary, sharing lessons from the licensing fight to opening. Regulatory/Local Policy: Monterey County planning commissioners advanced a cannabis consumption venue ordinance to the Board of Supervisors, aiming to allow on-site consumption at retail locations with responsible-use language. Fraud & Enforcement: A Lower Merion businessman behind Kind’s marijuana payment-processing business was charged with fraud tied to investor share sales. Public Safety & Crime: UK police jailed “J Flabs” alias Connor Prescott after finding cocaine hidden in his shorts, underscoring ongoing drug-dealing crackdowns.

Regulatory Clampdown: Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency revoked 20 medical grower licenses and hit GP Holdings (Millie Montana Industries) with a record-tying $2M fine after investigators found packages labeled as marijuana flower contained no THC and instead resembled dirt/mulch. Legal & Compliance: A federal case alleges Verano and a St. Charles dispensary failed to protect patient data, with 2.4M lines reportedly exposed online. Local Zoning Moves: Charles County, Maryland approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale cannabis farms while it updates zoning rules. Litigation Over Equity: San Diego County faces a CEQA lawsuit over its Socially Equitable Cannabis Program, with residents arguing the environmental review and approval process fell short. Market Signals: Canada data shows pre-rolls overtook flower as the top cannabis category by revenue in 2025, with pre-roll revenue up 6.3% to $1.4B. Tribal Policy: The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association will host its 5th annual Indigenous Cannabis Industry & Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., Nov. 9–11.

Regulation & Enforcement: Trinidad and Tobago is moving to raise the legal ages for alcohol and tobacco to 21, while setting cannabis and gambling at 25—paired with steep fines and prison terms up to 30 years for repeat or aggravated offences, a major compliance shake-up for operators. Courtroom & Compliance: A Florida judge refused to toss a shareholder lawsuit targeting cannabis-company directors accused of entrenchment after enforcement action, keeping the case alive. Market Moves: Curaleaf’s hostile bid for Aurora Cannabis is still on the table, offering a mix of cash and Curaleaf shares with a stated premium—investors are watching whether Aurora shareholders tender. Public Safety & Policy: A DEA administrative law judge paused marijuana rescheduling proceedings after opponents cited gaps in the government’s process, adding uncertainty to federal reform timelines. Crackdowns: Police in Christchurch arrested three gang members after a cannabis-linked raid that also seized guns, ammo, and cash—another reminder that “legal” markets don’t stop illicit supply chains. Adult-Use Rollout: Virginia’s initial draft adult-use marijuana rules outline fees and licensing mechanics, but leaves key questions for the Authority to finalize.

Labor & Workplace Rights: Missouri dispensary workers say they were fired for union organizing after a Springfield Greenlight meeting, with picketing continuing as Joplin workers vote to unionize. Hemp Policy Shock: Oregon CBD retailers are preparing to close after a new federal law threatens to ban most hemp-derived products, even as dispensaries selling marijuana remain open. Regulatory Signals for CBD: Europe’s CBD market gets a boost after EFSA issues its first positive CBD opinion, though EU sales still hinge on approvals and strict intake limits. Business Moves: Claris Biotherapeutics is relocating HQ from Jersey City to South San Francisco ahead of 2027 trials and planned hiring. Industry Growth & Compliance: TruMo Analytics opens a Missouri cannabis testing lab offering fast turnaround and full compliance panels. Market Culture: Terp Basel in Miami expands its art-forward cannabis festival/trade vibe for its fifth year. Corporate Crossover: Tilray’s BrewDog turnaround story highlights how cannabis-linked beverage ownership is reshaping mainstream brands.

Hemp & Materials: South Korea researchers say hemp hurd cellulose can boost biodegradable plastic film strength and barrier performance, pointing to wider use of other farm residues. Legal & Compliance: Missouri’s Supreme Court heard a challenge to cannabis facility licensing after claims the state’s 2019 scoring process was inconsistent, with an audit alleging deficiencies. Hemp Beverages: A federal appeals court order again limits Ohio’s intoxicating hemp beverage sales outside licensed dispensaries, threatening jobs and forcing product reroutes. Enforcement & Courts: Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control prompted a Jackson dispensary to temporarily close after “serious adverse health events,” though follow-up testing reportedly found no contaminants. Local Policy: Baltimore approved a plan to padlock repeat-offender “smoke shops” selling unlicensed cannabis and other illegal products. Business Moves: Australia’s Tasmanian Botanics is now almost entirely owned by a Chinese-linked firm, with operators saying staffing and operations should remain stable. Tax & Regulation: Guadalupe voters will decide whether to set a city cannabis tax rate, aiming for clearer, more direct revenue collection.

Regulatory & Enforcement: Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Dawn Keefer unveiled a bill to keep hemp THC products legal but add age limits plus registration, testing, and labeling requirements. Product & Testing: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1965 and AB 2250, tightening marijuana testing/retesting, lab performance checks, and consumer access to certificates of analysis, while adjusting hemp rules around cannabinoid definitions. Business Deals: Trulieve announced an exclusive master licensing agreement with Connected for Alien Labs and Connected branded products in Florida and Texas. Public Safety: Baltimore City Council is set to vote on legislation that would let police padlock smoke shops selling illegal products, as part of broader cannabis enforcement. Courts & Sentencing: A Federal Court reinstated 30-year cannabis trafficking sentences for two men in Malaysia after overturning an appellate shift to possession. Industry Supply Chain: Iowa authorities say a Clarion man’s case shows how marijuana and THC products move from legal “source states” into states where cannabis remains illegal. Market Access & Compliance Tech: IKE Tech expanded beyond age-gated vaping with IKE 2.0, aiming to extend identity and compliance checks beyond point-of-sale. Community Impact: A Verulam community is demanding answers after a man allegedly selling cannabis to pupils was released and reportedly returned.

Medicinal Cannabis M&A: Elixinol Wellness (ASX:EXL) has signed a binding deal to acquire Vitable’s personalised supplement subscription business in an all-scrip transaction, aiming to add recurring DTC revenue and deepen its hemp foods and wellness footprint, with shareholder approval expected in early November. ASX Cannabis Updates: Cann Group (ASX:CAN) says export sales to the UK mark a shift away from a crowded discounted domestic dried-flower market, while Little Green Pharma (ASX:LGP) is closing its first full quarter post-merger with Cannatrek and points to early capital focus on Denmark and new teams in Germany and the UK. Regulatory/Clinical Pipeline: Vitura Health (ASX:VIT) is digesting a hit to its Doctors on Demand referral pipeline after Bupa redirects international-member referrals, and Neurotech International (ASX:NTI) has reshaped leadership as it weighs next steps for its oral cannabinoid program. Public Policy & Safety: New Zealand’s opposition is pushing a private members’ medicinal cannabis bill aimed at loosening provisional consent timelines and addressing gaps in the government’s scheme. Enforcement Watch: Malaysia’s Federal Court reinstated trafficking convictions for 264.36g of cannabis, reinforcing the “200g or more” trafficking presumption.

Federal cannabis policy: Arkansas dispensaries say U.S. medical marijuana rescheduling could cut taxes and simplify deductions, even as new regulatory changes loom for operators. State tax & product rules: North Carolina hemp beverage advocates warn a near-total ban bill would wipe out compliant brands and push “bad actors” to fill the gap. Industry & investment: Canada’s Organigram says it needs federal regulatory and tax changes to compete globally after a record quarter. Business growth: Outdoor Society founder Dane Watson discusses scaling hemp-based apparel brands Goodlids and Moreporks. Public safety & enforcement: Albania prosecutors say a Tirana probe identified 52 people selling drugs near schools, seizing heroin, cocaine and cannabis. Drug trafficking crackdown: Nigeria’s NDLEA reports a newlywed allegedly ingested 72 cocaine wraps for Portugal and seized 2.55M opioid pills at Lagos airport. Local CBD/cannabis environment: Durban CBD businesses call for action on crime and neglect as the city plans an inner-city revival entity.

Regulatory Safety: Colorado regulators issued a recall and health advisory for certain Craft marijuana vapes after finding methylene chloride, warning consumers to destroy or return affected products sold at 405 stores. Potency & Compliance: Maryland is rolling out a cross-testing audit pilot (CSQ CLEAR) to catch inflated THC numbers and label inaccuracies by retesting retail flower across multiple licensed labs. Market Watch: North Carolina’s THC beverages are spreading fast, raising questions about how the liquor industry will respond as these hemp-derived drinks operate with minimal oversight. Business & Supply Chain: Oregon psilocybin businesses won a win after regulators backed off proposed fee hikes, though funding questions remain. Local Enforcement: Kansas officials are fighting a hemp raid lawsuit, while Colorado also continues to tighten oversight of cannabis testing and sales. Industry Ops: Maryland targets lab shopping and testing fraud; Colorado targets contaminated vapes—both point to a tougher compliance era for CBD and cannabis products.

Colorado Cannabis Safety: Colorado regulators warned consumers that marijuana vapes sold at 405 stores were made with methylene chloride, issuing a health advisory after finding the industrial solvent in products from Staycon/Craft (no illnesses reported yet). Psychedelics Policy Shift: Oregon psilocybin businesses won back from proposed fee hikes after the Oregon Health Authority rescinded rules that would have doubled annual licensing fees, with the industry calling it a survival fight. Minnesota Market Expansion: Coconut Cannabis in Bemidji is preparing to enter the medical cannabis market, expanding access for patients who previously had to travel long distances. Massachusetts Ballot Watch: A new poll says 71% of likely voters would reject Question 8, which would repeal recreational marijuana sales—raising stakes for the state’s cannabis workforce and operators. International Enforcement: Hong Kong Customs seized 6kg of cannabis at the airport and arrested two traffickers, underscoring ongoing cross-border pressure on illicit supply chains. Product Quality/Consumer Guidance: A guide on how to compare CBD flower quality highlights growing method, freshness, aroma, and batch testing as key buying factors.

Massachusetts Ballot Fallout: A Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition leader warns that if Question 8 passes, the state could see a “windfall” of job losses across dispensaries, including budtenders and store staff, with workers also facing hiring barriers due to past cannabis-related records. Regulatory Pressure: New Mexico agents seized about 6,300 mature cannabis plants (roughly 21,000 pounds) in Estancia after a two-month investigation, underscoring ongoing enforcement against illegal grows. Retail Oversight: Aurora, Ontario approved recommendations from its cannabis retail review task force, pushing better complaint reporting, targeted responses, and stronger advocacy on store clustering and location rules. Legal/Compliance Watch: California’s cannabis regulator is set to appeal a court ruling tied to its required suspicious-transaction tracking system. Industry & Community: Realeaf FN Cannabis donated $5,000 to the Prince Albert Food Bank, highlighting continued local giving by CBD/cannabis businesses. Hemp Business Under Fire: A Black entrepreneur filed a $10M lawsuit alleging LAPD raids unlawfully targeted his hemp shop.

Regulatory Crackdown: Michigan regulators fined cannabis firms over tracking, sales, waste disposal, security and reporting lapses, with Metrc tracking issues showing up in most August-dated actions. Federal Corruption Case: Atlantic City’s top cannabis official, “Cannabis Kash” McKinley, was charged with honest services fraud and bribery tied to fast-tracking a dispensary and reducing city fees. Product Safety: Colorado’s StayCon recalled dozens of contaminated marijuana vape products after methylene chloride was found, amid delays in expanded testing. Hemp Policy Fight: Kansas officials urged a federal court to toss a lawsuit challenging hemp product raids, arguing the complaint doesn’t show violated constitutional rights. State Ballot Watch: North Carolina lawmakers are debating whether to ban hemp beverages outright, while Massachusetts voters oppose a November measure to roll back adult-use marijuana legalization. Local Market Rules: Estacada, Oregon voters will decide whether to block new marijuana production/processing/wholesale businesses (retail dispensaries would remain). Enforcement Abroad: Hong Kong customs seized 6kg of cannabis at an airport and arrested two traffickers.

Medicinal & Retail Policy: South Africa is pushing to formalize indigenous cannabis-growing communities into the legal value chain, with the illicit market estimated at R36bn a year and a Cannabis Bill planned for parliament by mid-2027. Regulatory & Compliance: Police Scotland carried out its “biggest” human-trafficking crackdown, making 36 arrests and uncovering 14 cannabis farms across 47 property raids. Market & Pricing Pressure: Australia’s medicinal cannabis growers are bracing for tighter patient budgets as unemployment rises and a rate hike looms, putting more pressure on out-of-pocket prescriptions. Corporate Moves: Cann Group is set to lodge its annual report as it emerges from a debt reset and chases export orders, while Vitura Health faces scrutiny amid a Bupa telehealth dispute. Product Race: Avecho is back in focus as a rival seeks fast-track TGA registration for a CBD pain tablet after missing efficacy targets. Legal & Local Business Impact: Rhode Island’s cannabis licensing reset is proving costly after a federal court challenge forced rule rewrites. Enforcement & Consumer Safety: Minnesota’s adult-use market is entering year two with new rules and uncertainty ahead of a December THC threshold change.