🧑⚖️ Attorneys Generals Ask Federal Lawmakers to Ban Hemp THC Products
Jushi sues DoorDash, Total Wine and others. Highway Cannabis acquires Pleasantrees. Vireo Growth and Verano reach settlement. MariMed exits Missouri, enters New York. ACTIVE Launches Singular.
🌿 Industry
39 Attorneys General Tell Federal Lawmakers to Ban Hemp THC Products. The bipartisan group wrote a letter to GOP committee leaders, asking that they redefine hemp in the appropriations process or farm bill reauthorization. — CBT
The bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general asked that Congress redefine hemp to close what many have termed an unintended “loophole” in the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized the commercial cultivation of hemp
State-level efforts to rein in the hemp-derived cannabinoid product marketplace are not enough, according to the bipartisan coalition. “Such efforts can only lead to an uneven and ineffectual patchwork of bans and regulations that differ from state to state and will not stop the flood of mail-order THC products from streaming through interstate commerce,” they wrote
After Ordering a Record Cannabis Recall, N.Y. Regulators Go Quiet. Critics complain that state officials have given little guidance since ordering a recall of some $30 million in cannabis products. The delay, they say, could undermine confidence in the legal market. — New York Times
There has been no official notice about how the recall affects more than $30 million worth of cannabis products that regulators said were slipped into dispensaries by companies without the proper licensing
“The unknown of what’s coming out of Omnium is a headline or two away from causing a loss of consumer trust in this industry,” said Mack Hueber, President of the Empire Cannabis Manufacturers Alliance, a state trade association. “And if that happens, everything that New York has been building could go away very quickly”
Some of Omnium’s products remain on sale at dispensaries, and some of the brands that officials said were parties to the backdoor deals have been allowed to obtain licenses to make their own products
Grön threatens to sue over the crackdown, contending that its licensing deal with Omnium had been approved by state regulators and is more so an IP deal
Jushi sues DoorDash, Total Wine And Others Over Alleged Illegal Sales Of Hemp THC Products. In a lawsuit filed with the Virginia Circuit Court of Arlington County, Jushi claimed that defendants have engaged in a “deliberate and coordinated scheme to erode Virginia’s heavily regulated medical cannabis market” by selling intoxicating cannabinoid products that run afoul of state law. — Marijuana Moment
“Disguised as lawful ‘hemp,’ these products are, in reality, potent and dangerous forms of marijuana, offered without the mandatory safeguards, testing, or oversight that the Commonwealth imposes on licensed cannabis operators such as Plaintiff,” the complaint says
“Through this deception, Defendants have flooded Virginia’s marketplace with unregulated and illegal cannabis products, exploiting consumer confusion and contravening Virginia’s state statutes to gain an unlawful competitive advantage”
Jushi is asking the court for a jury trial to settle the issue, and it’s seeking more than $80M from defendants over the claimed economic injury from the alleged unfair competitive advantage
Longest strike in U.S. cannabis industry ends. After 45 days, a strike at a RISE dispensary location in York, PA, that began on Labor Day came to an end with what union organizers claimed is a victory. — MJBizDaily
Flowhub Road-Trip Docuseries Highlights the Future of Cannabis Retail. Hosted by Founder & CEO Kyle Sherman and produced in collaboration with Emmy Award–winning Ricki Lake and journalist Jason Kennedy, the series puts a spotlight on the entrepreneurs, advocates, legislators, and employees across the industry.
MJBizCon 2025 to debut first virtual cannabis retail activation. Visitors to booth C25114 will be able to browse products in glass display cases and place orders via an integrated kiosk system. It’s a miniaturized version of the retail experience at NuWu Cannabis Marketplace, where the orders will later be fulfilled in person.
Marijuana industry seeks preliminary injunction against wholesale tax. The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association is seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the state from enacting a new 24% wholesale tax on legal cannabis on Jan. 1.
💵 Deals
Highway Cannabis acquires Pleasantrees. Pleasantrees is a Michigan-based, vertically integrated cannabis operator with five retail locations and a large-scale cultivation and processing facility. The transaction expands Highway’s retail footprint from three to eight stores and marks its entrance into Michigan. The financing for the acquisition was led by KEY Investment Partners.
Vireo Growth and Verano Resolution of Litigation Matters. The companies have reached a comprehensive settlement dismissing all outstanding litigation matters between the two Companies that are pending before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada. The value of the settlement to Vireo is ~$10M consisting of the acquisition of certain real estate assets and $1M in cash.
📄 Company Updates
Verano Q3 2025 Financial Results. Revenues, net of discounts, were $203M, down from $217M in Q3 2024, and up from $202M in Q2 2025. The decrease in revenue was driven primarily by ongoing price compression and competition. Gross profit for the was $95M (47% GM), down from $109M (50% GM) for Q3 2024, and down from $113M (56% GM) in Q2 2025. The decrease in gross profit was due to overall top line revenue declines, increased promotional activity, and an increase in the costs of goods sold due to short-term operational enhancements. Net loss was $(44M) vs. $(43M) in Q3 2024. The increase in net loss was primarily driven by an impairment charge of $5M and legal loss contingencies of $10M. Adjusted EBITDA was $53M (26% margin). Cash and cash equivalents of $83M and total debt of $401M.
MariMed Strategic Exit From Missouri Cannabis Market. MariMed has completed a strategic review of its Missouri business operations and decided to exit the market. Since 2024, the Company has managed the Missouri operations of another licensed cannabis operator and distributed certain of its brands there under a Managed Services and Licensing Agreement, while awaiting license transfer approval from the state. The company will no longer manage the facility and will no longer seek the license transfer.
MariMed to Expand Brand Distribution to New York. The licensing agreement with Farm 2 Hand LLC, a New York State cannabis license holder, will introduce the company’s portfolio (Betty’s Eddies fruit chews; Bubby’s Baked baked goods; and InHouse gummies) throughout New York State.
🏬 Retail / Distribution
NYC BUD opens 2nd dispensary in Manhattan. NYC BUD opened its first location in Long Island City in 2024, taking on a full subway-themed motif to fully embrace the most New York City thing: the transit system. With the new Manhattan store, they leaned into the style of Grand Central Station. The shop features a replica of Grand Central’s constellation ceiling, a central “information booth” that doubles as a pick-up counter styled like a departure board, an ATM designed as a Metro-North ticket machine, and a rooftop where customers can consume.
The Cannabist Co. Opens 7th Ohio Dispensary. Located in St. Clairsville, the dispensary is less than 10 miles from the Ohio River.
🌱 Product
Rhinegeist Enters THC Beverages with Fuzzy Bones. The new brand family “will initially feature three flavors at 5 mg THC each: a bright and sunny Blood Orange + Tangerine blend; a tart and juicy Lemon Blueberry blend; and a complex, intriguing Blackberry Hibiscus blend. It debuts January 1, 2025, in Ohio via select retailers and the brewery’s taproom, with statewide expansion planned. Rhinegeist eyes more flavors in 2025 and out-of-state growth if regulations align.
The Boston Beer Company Launches Emerald Hour Gummies in Canada. Emerald Hour, the non-alcoholic cannabis cocktail brand from The Boston Beer Company, launched new cocktail-inspired THC gummies, infused with live rosin and solventless cannabis diamonds. Now available at dispensaries across Ontario and Alberta, each Emerald Hour gummy is 100% vegan and contains 5mg of THC. Two Emerald Hour craft cannabis gummies are packaged in discreet two-pack containers.
South Beach Brewing Company Partners x Rick Ross to Launch THC/CBD-Infused Beverages. South Beach Brewing is jumping into the wellness space with two new, non-alcoholic THC/CBD beverages crafted to embody the bold, vibrant spirit of the South Beach Miami lifestyle. Slack Tide: 5mg THC & CBD, blend with real watermelon juice and a cool hint of mint and High Tide: 10mg of THC & CBD packed with real blueberry and strawberry juices.
ACTIVE Launches Singular: A Cannabis Vape Platform Designed for Every Extract. Singular® is a new modular vape platform designed for every type of extract. Built around a reusable battery system, Singular reduces battery waste while preserving the all-in-one experience users love. Unlike closed pod systems that lock brands and consumers into a single ecosystem, Singular by ACTIVE redefines the one-size-fits-all approach. Its open platform provides multiple pod engines—ceramic, postless, and stainless steel—each optimized for different extract types to deliver consistent performance without compromise.
Hyde’s Hail Mary Launches Hemp-Infused Zero-Alcohol Shandy Beverage. Founded by former NFL player Micah Hyde, Hyde’s Hail Mary has officially launched nationwide, making history as the first hemp-infused zero-alcohol shandy beverage on the market. The debut flavor, a crisp and bright Lemon Shandy, delivers the refreshing taste shandy fans love without the alcohol and pairs it with the balanced effects of hemp-derived cannabinoids.
4 Hands Brewing Co. expands into Cannabis Beverages. The St. Louis-based brewery is expanding its beverage portfolio with the formation of 4 Hands Cannabis Co., a new venture dedicated to crafting hemp-derived delta-9 THC and adaptogen-infused drinks made with real fruit juice.
🧔 People
CULTA appoints Joseph Andreae as CEO. Before joining CULTA, he held leadership roles at several large-scale, vertically integrated cannabis companies, including Story Cannabis, Glass House Brands and NorCal Cannabis Co.
IM Cannabis CFO Departure. Uri Birenberg will be stepping down from his role for personal reasons. Birenberg is expected to continue serving as CFO until January 5, 2026, or such earlier date as may be determined by the Company, and will assist in a structured transition process until a successor is appointed.
🎙️ Interviews
Growth States in 2025 and Beyond w/ Hirsh Jain | WeedWeek
How Active’s Modular Vape Platform Changes Everything w/ Alex Kwon | The Dime
Jushi & MariMed Talk Pennsylvania Cannabis Strategy | TDR