News

Marijuana arrests are driving driving the overall war on drugs in states where cannabis remains illegal, according to a new NORML analysis of FBI data. And most of those busts are for simple possession. An examination of arrest data for 2024 in strictly prohibitionist states and those with limited medical cannabis programs revealed a continuation of drug war-era criminalization over marijuana-seemingly contradicting reform opponents’ repeated arguments that cannabis arrests are overstated. NORML focused on 14 states in particular, analyzing arrest data submitted to FBI by local and state law . . .

A major trade association that counts among its members corporations such as Coca-Cola, General Mills, Kraft Heinz and Nestlé is putting pressure on Congress to ban intoxicating hemp products. In a letter sent to House and Senate leadership, the Consumer Brand Association (CBA) said it wants to see the so-called “hemp loophole” of the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized the crop closed. And to that end, the organization backed appropriations language led by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) to prohibit hemp products containing any quantifiable amount of THC. The proliferation of intoxicating cannabinoid . . .

You’re reading this week’s edition of the New Cannabis Ventures weekly newsletter, which we have been publishing since October 2015. The newsletter includes unique insight to help our readers stay ahead of the curve as well as links to the week’s most important news. We no longer send these by email as we did in [ . . . ]

With Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s promise to launch adult-use cannabis sales, the legal industry is awaiting its biggest new opportunity in years. Virginia election signals biggest opportunity in years for adult-use cannabis industry is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is claiming that Attorney General Mike Hilgers is ending negotiations on a tobacco tax compact due to the tribe’s medical cannabis program, WOWT reports. Tribal Attorney General John Cartier said that a representative from the Attorney General’s office, during a phone call, “explicitly” told him it was “retaliation.” “She told me flat out – that the attorney general’s office is not going to move forward with our tribal tobacco tax compact because the tribe is going to engage in the medical cannabis industry.” – Cartier to WOWT Cartier also indicated that the . . .

Abigail Spanberger (D), a former Congresswoman and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, was elected as Virginia’s governor, defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears 57.5% to 42.3%. Spanberger will take the reins from Republican Glenn Youngkin, who was term-limited and had blocked adult-use cannabis sales in the commonwealth during his time as governor, despite the reforms passing the Legislature in 2021. Spanberger has earned an ‘A’ grade from NORML and during the campaign promised to allow adult-use cannabis sales to proceed. In August, Spanberger told WTVR that she would work with . . .

The Oklahoma campaign seeking to improve the state’s cannabis program announced on Tuesday that it had not gathered enough signatures to get its proposal on the ballot. In a November 4 Facebook post, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) noted that had the proposition “been a statutory measure,” it “would likely be headed to the ballot.” The proposed constitutional amendment would have implemented safeguards for cannabis consumers, including protections for housing, employment, parental rights, firearm possession rights, and healthcare. The proposal would have prohibited the . . .

AGLC’s Liquor and Cannabis Division posted a bulletin on November 5, 2025, advising licensed cannabis suppliers of updates to its rules regarding how cannabis producers… The post AGLC provides updates to farmgate rules appeared first on StratCann.

Green Thumb Industries Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Green Thumb Industries Inc. (“Green Thumb” or the “Company”) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, today reported its financial results for the quarter ended [ . . . ]

Curaleaf Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results: Solid Growth and Robust Cash Generation Third quarter 2025 net revenue of $320 million Third quarter 2025 International revenue of $46 million Third quarter 2025 adjusted gross profit margin(1) of 50% Year-to-date operating and free cash flow from continuing operations of $104 million and $57 million, respectively STAMFORD, Conn., [ . . . ]

The election of Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger as Virginia’s next governor is good news for the cannabis industry. Virginia voters signal adult-use cannabis market launch, but bans pass elsewhere is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

A new survey of adults who drink cannabis-infused beverages has found more evidence of a “substitution effect,” with a significant majority of participants reporting reduced alcohol use after incorporating cannabinoid drinks into their routines. They also noted improvements in overall wellbeing and sleep, as well as reductions in pain, stress, depression and anxiety. The poll released on Wednesday by the research firm MoreBetter-which was sponsored by more than a dozen hemp and marijuana brands-tracked consumer behavior and overall wellbeing among more than 3,000 participants who were given a . . .

One of the behind-the-scenes architects of the federal law legalizing hemp during President Donald Trump’s first term says it’s a misconception that Congress accidentally created a “loophole” allowing intoxicating cannabinoid products to be sold. Rather, the controversy over the hemp THC marketplace that’s emerged is a direct consequence of inaction by lawmakers and regulators that could be resolved without outright banning such products, as certain GOP members have proposed, Steve Bevan said in a letter to key Republican committee leaders on Tuesday. Bevan-who worked with then-Senate . . .

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. will pay off $368 million in outstanding debt before the loan’s 2026 due date. Cannabis MSO Trulieve escapes ‘debt tsunami’ with $368 million payoff is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Some Canadian cannabis producers say they are unhappy with the federal government’s proposal to lower the price ceiling for medical cannabis reimbursements through Veterans Affairs… The post Canadian cannabis producers disappointed by Budget 2025 proposals appeared first on StratCann.

A new scientific review published by the American Medical Association (AMA) shows that use of psilocybin has “surged” in the U.S. in recent years amid the decriminalization movement and in light of “promising clinical trial results” on its therapeutic potential. But the paper, released on Wednesday, also points out that current federal laws present “a major barrier” to researchers gaining a better understanding of the psychedelic substance’s true impacts. As a result, similar to what’s been observed during the state-level marijuana legalization push, “public access and enthusiasm are . . .

The election to become the next Governor of New Jersey was won by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), who believes in cannabis homegrow. She defeated former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli 56 percent to 43 percent, according to NBC. Many polls portrayed the race as a lot closer. Sherrill endorsed both adult-use and medical home grow in [ . . . ] Source: Pro-Cannabis Democrat Mikie Sherrill Wins NJ Governorship from Heady NJ

The cannabis company also reported a third-quarter operating cash flow of $6 million.

The cannabis company also reported a year-to-date cash flow from operations of $214 million and a free cash flow of $173 million.

With New Jersey voters electing U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) to serve as the state’s next governor, there’s now a decidedly clearer path to advancing a marijuana policy reform long awaited by consumers and advocates in the Garden State: A home grow option. New Jersey might already have an adult-use cannabis market, but Sherrill replacing Gov. Phil Murphy (R) next year could be a boon for efforts to build upon the voter-approved law in a number of ways. Just about a week ahead of the election, Sherrill gave a preview of her cannabis policy priorities, which includes preventing youth access . . .

“Marijuana-related prosecutions remain the primary driver of drug war enforcement in those states where cannabis remains criminalized, whereas, with few exceptions, marijuana-related arrests fall precipitously in jurisdictions that legalize and regulate the adult-use cannabis market.” The post Marijuana Arrests Comprised Nearly Half of All Drug-Related Arrests in Over a Dozen States in 2024 appeared first on NORML.

After reaching an all-time high in 2023, Americans’ support for ending cannabis prohibition dropped for the second straight year.

Minnesota is the latest state to develop a secondary market for cannabis license sales. I’d call the Minnesota market “robust”, except that the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) hasn’t issued all that many licenses in the first place. Still, one source recently estimated “at least 80” licenses recently posted for sale. It’s a real thing. What is driving the Minnesota cannabis license re-sale market? The primary driver of this secondary market is likely the lottery-based system adopted by OCM. Minnesota started with a social equity license lottery, but pivoted last December to a general . . .

Cannabis workers at a RISE Dispensary in York, Pennsylvania, ended a 45-day labor strike this week after ratifying their first collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters Local 776 union. RISE is a subsidiary of the multistate operator Green Thumb Industries (GTI) and operates dozens of dispensaries in 14 different state markets. Employees at the RISE dispensary in York demanded wages equal to workers at other RISE dispensaries and went on strike in September. After the employees signed the agreement, a union statement noted it was the longest successful cannabis industry labor strike . . .

Aurora Cannabis reported $90.4 million in net revenue, a gross profit of $32.3 million, and a net loss of $53 million for the three months… The post Aurora reports $53 million loss in Q2 2026, as it continues to shift away from non-medical market appeared first on StratCann.