đŻ Target Begins Selling Intoxicating Hemp Beverages at 10 stores (Minnesota)
61% of Americans say Cannabis is a âHealthier Optionâ than Alcohol. Ohio 90-day ban on sale of intoxicating hemp products, AYR Wellness Commence RSA, Canopy USA x JP Brand Advisors for Hemp Distro.
đ I thought the first Hall of Flowers NYC was highly successful. Hall of Flowers was able to leverage its relationships and track record to convince 30+ California brands to have a booth at the first event in the State. The New York market also allowed for MSOs to be a bigger part of the show with Curaleaf and Vireo both having booths (with Curaleaf committing to a corner booth that saw some of the heavier traffic on both days). Held roughly a month after Revelry NYC, it made it easy to ask for comparisons and the consistent feedback I received was that Hall of Flowers set itself apart by delivering on a B2B trade show where business was the focus. This is especially key for brands (Timeless Vapes, Claybourne, Alien Labs) that are launching in NY in the next few months. More coverage here: Cannabis Confidential, GreenState
đż Industry
Target Begins Selling THC-Infused Cannabis Drinks at 10 stores in Minnesota. Brands include Birdie, Cann, Gigli, Hi Seltzer, Indeed, Señorita, Stigma, Surly, Trail Magic, Wunder, Wyld and Wynk. The state has approved all 72 Target stores in Minnesota to sell hemp-derived products, according to an OCM list. But that is likely a placeholder, pending a decision on broadening sales.
[updated: Wunder was mispelled in the source materials and has been updated]
Most Americans Say Marijuana Is A âHealthier Optionâ Than Alcohol, And A Majority Expect Nationwide Legalization Within Five Years, Poll Finds. The MRI-Simmons 2025 National Cannabis Study offer a wide range of data points on public opinion and consumer trends concerning marijuana, touching on the economics, health impact and policy considerations for cannabis. â Marijuana Moment
61% of respondents agreed that marijuana is a healthier choice compared to alcohol. Among people whoâve used marijuana in the past six months, 87% said cannabis was healthier than alcohol
Overall, 62% of respondents said that marijuana should be federally legalized, while 64% said they expect cannabis to be legal in all 50 states within five years
Michigan cannabis industry sues to block new 24% marijuana tax. The lawsuit asks the court to block the tax and declare it illegal. â MLive
The lawsuit alleges any new tax on marijuana constitutes an amendment and therefore is subject to public vote or supermajority support for passage
Proponents claim the new tax is a separate law that doesnât infringe on the rights stipulated in the 2018 voter-passed language
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issues ban on THC drinks, gummies, other hemp products. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a 90-day ban on the sale of intoxicating hemp products outside of licensed dispensaries. â The Columbus Dispatch
DeWine said many intoxicating hemp products mimic packaging of commonly sold candy, such as Sour Patch kids and Nerds
The Ohio Cannabis Coalition, a trade group representing the legal marijuana businesses, estimates the market for intoxicating hemp products in Ohio is $1B
New York sales of $214.4M for August 2025. Thatâs across 497 licensed dispensaries (150+ of which operate within the five boroughs). Sales climbed from $161.6M in July and $153.2M in June. Itâs up from $104.3M in August 2024.
High Times brings Cannabis Cup to New York for the first time. This event will be the first-ever competition that is open to the New York public and will see the largest pool of judges in history.
đ” Deals
AYR Wellness Commencement of Restructuring Support Agreement Article 9 Proceedings. As contemplated by the Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) dated July 30, 2025, this next phase of the restructuring will be implemented through a foreclosure sale for the Companyâs senior noteholders. The Trustee, at the direction of Senior Noteholders holding over a majority of the outstanding senior notes, has (a) delivered notifications of disposition of collateral in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code to conduct a public sale of certain collateral assets and equity interests of certain specified AYR subsidiaries with respect to certain goingâconcern operations of the Company in Florida, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, as more fully set forth in the notification delivered by the Trustee, and (b) published an advertisement with respect to the Sale in the Wall Street Journal and distributed via Cannabis Business Times. Senior note holders, led by Boston-based Millstreet Capital Management, have $387M in credit to put toward purchasing Ayr Wellnessâ assets and give them ownership of the company.
đ Company Updates
Ex-Curaleaf exec says company ignored problems at Illinois cannabis facility. A former Curaleaf employee claims conditions at the marijuana behemothâs Litchfield cultivation facility were ripe for black market diversion â and that he was fired for raising concerns, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court. The suit, filed by Curaleafâs ex-regional compliance director Matthew Kalmick of Chicago, claims state regulators noted multiple issues at the Litchfield grow facility, including potential systemic theft, a cut perimeter fence and inventory issues. A spokesperson for Curaleaf denied all wrongdoing and noted Illinois regulators have never cited Curaleaf for any violations such as those described in Kalmickâs lawsuit. The spokesperson promised the company would âvigorously contest the baseless claims.â
đŹ Retail / Distribution
Charlie Fox dispensary ordered to temporarily close by state Supreme Court. Southampton Town sought an injunction to halt Charlie Fox from operating on County Road 39 in Tuckahoe. The dispensary, which has a state license to sell marijuana, opened Sept. 16 despite a lack of town permits and approvals.
CERTIFIED opens first Columbus dispensary. The new Columbus location is CERTIFIEDâs second dispensary in Ohio, following its first dispensary in South Euclid near Cleveland. CERTIFIEDâs full line of premium flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, drinks and RSO, along with products from third-party brands will be sold at the location.
Planet 13 Opens Florida Dispensary in DeLand. Located in the heart of DeLandâs charming downtown near Stetson University, the area is known for its historic brick-lined streets, vibrant local shops, and strong sense of community.
Canopy USA x JP Brand Advisors and Form Strategic Partnership to Expand Hemp Beverage Distribution. As part of the partnership, JPBA and Canopy USA will work together to drive distributor management and strategic account growth for Wanaâs hemp beverage portfolio.
đ± Product
Good Vibes launches glow-in-the-dark THC syrup. Each bottle contains 500 mg of fast-acting THC and comes with a mini black light attached for immediate use.
STIIIZY Debuts High-Dose Hemp-Derived THC Seltzers and Sodas. This expanded lineup includes 12-ounce cans with 10MG and 20MG Delta-9 Hemp THC.
Organigram Global Launches happly, a New U.S. Hemp-Derived THC Brand Offering Targeted Formulations for Three Mood States; Socialize, Relax, and Sleep. All 20-count products are thoughtfully packaged in slim, beautifully designed reusable tins. These tins are crafted to offer consumers a discreet, portable, and functional option, making them suitable for a variety of occasions throughout the day.
FundCanna Unveils ReadyPaid(TM) Trusted Partner Network to Drive BNPL Adoption. The Locator lists participating vendors on an interactive map with their logos, verticals, and states of operation. Providing added visibility while helping buyers identify partners who transact on flexible terms offered via ReadyPaid. ReadyPaid is designed to fix the broken payment cycle: sellers receive payment at the point of sale while buyers have the option of net terms or extended terms for payment. This affords sellers immediate, no-recourse payment for sales and enables purchaserâs payment terms that match their revenue cycles. By aligning incentives and smoothing cash flow, ReadyPaid addresses the industryâs massive non-payment issue, a $4+ billion delinquent receivables problem.
đ§ People
The Cannabist Company Co-Founder Michael Abbott Resigns From Board. Abbott co-founded the Company as Columbia Care in 2012 and served as Executive Chairman of the Board until 2023, and, since then, as Chair of the Board.
đïž Interviews
Minnesotaâs New Era with Aaron Edelheit | Higher Exchanges
Government Shutdown, Michiganâs 24% tax hike | High Spirits
Chris Ball: Betting It All | The Dime