Industry news
The stories that matter to people running cannabis businesses — regulation, licensing, market moves, and technology — tagged by state and category, with a link to the source on every item.
The Federal Hemp Deadline Is Now December 11. Your Dispensary Has 14 Weeks — Here's the Countdown Playbook [2026]
It's law: the President signed the funding bill on September 2, setting most of the new federal restrictions on hemp-derived cannabinoid products for December 11, 2026 — with products containing cannabinoids the plant can't naturally produce losing hemp status November 12. Here's the week-by-week playbook for Florida dispensaries, from the patient-education funnel you start this month to the day-a
GreenScreens · greenscreens.tvIn the directory: Greenscreens
Congress approves hemp THC delay measure, sending it to Trump
The House approved a Senate-passed funding bill that would delay federal recriminalization of hemp THC products, and the measure now goes to President Donald Trump. The newsletter also notes California’s new marijuana packaging and labeling law, along with updates on arrests, state regulations, and industry litigation.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.netCalifornia enacts stricter rules for cannabis packaging imagery
California has approved a new cannabis law that restricts packaging designs using cartoon and fruit imagery. The Department of Cannabis Control will be responsible for enforcing the updated child-safe labeling requirements.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.comTrue North Analytical opens Minnesota lab focused on cannabis and hemp testing
True North Analytical has opened a Minnesota laboratory dedicated entirely to testing cannabis and hemp products. The facility is intended to serve the regulated cannabis and hemp market with analytical testing services.
cannabisbusinesstimes.com · news.google.comHouse delays intoxicating hemp product ban by four weeks
The U.S. House approved a short delay before a ban on intoxicating hemp products would take effect. The measure gives lawmakers additional time to address the policy timeline affecting hemp-derived products at the federal level.
cannabisbusinesstimes.com · news.google.comOklahoma cannabis extraction lab lost state permit before fatal explosion
An Oklahoma cannabis extraction lab that exploded last week, killing two people, had previously lost its state permit. Authorities have charged a man believed to be the operator of the facility with murder as the investigation continues.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.com
House passes bill to delay federal hemp THC product ban
The U.S. House approved legislation that would postpone the planned federal ban on hemp THC products from November 12 to December 11. The measure is part of a government funding bill that has already cleared the Senate and would give lawmakers more time to pursue a regulatory framework for hemp-derived products.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.netIn the directory: Cornbread Hemp
Rx Green Technologies emphasizes domestic coco coir production for cultivators
Rx Green Technologies is highlighting its U.S.-based processing and quality control for loose-fill coco coir used by commercial cannabis cultivators. The article says domestic manufacturing can improve supply consistency, shorten restock cycles, and provide easier access to lot-level testing and support.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.comQ2 2026 cannabis licensing activity report released
A quarterly report on cannabis business licensing activity for Q2 2026 has been published. The report appears to track licensing trends and application activity across the industry, with a focus on business-level licensing movement rather than consumer sales.
CRB Monitor News · news.google.comIn the directory: Canndelta
DEA sends questions to Colorado medical cannabis businesses seeking protections
The DEA has sent a 26-question list to Colorado medical cannabis businesses that applied for federal protections tied to the administration’s rescheduling effort. The newsletter also notes related federal and state developments, including hemp policy changes, new cannabis guidance from several state regulators, and a business settlement involving a cannabis-focused company.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.net
Florida grand jury says settlement funds were diverted to anti-cannabis PAC
A Florida grand jury concluded that state settlement money was improperly routed through the Hope Florida Foundation and then passed to political groups that opposed the 2024 adult-use cannabis ballot measure. The report says the funds were moved through grant applications and later sent to a PAC, though it also found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.com
Michigan hemp license suspended after THC testing exceeds legal limit
Michigan regulators suspended the hemp processor-handler license of Loud Labs of Michigan LLC after inspections and inventory checks found products with delta-9 THC levels above the state’s 0.3% hemp threshold. The agency said the company may also face revocation following the notice and hearing process under state hemp law.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.com
Wisconsin hemp shop owner charged over alleged illegal THC packaging scheme
A Wisconsin hemp shop owner is facing multiple trafficking charges after police raids allegedly uncovered products with THC levels above the state’s hemp limit. Prosecutors say the products were repackaged and sold as legal hemp-derived items, while the defendant disputes the allegations.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.com
California tightens marijuana packaging and labeling rules to protect children
California has enacted AB 2249, which clarifies when cannabis packaging and labeling are considered appealing to children and therefore prohibited. The law adds examples such as cartoons, child-oriented imagery, certain fruit depictions on edibles and vape labels, and other design features, while directing regulators to develop additional standards and compliance resources.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.net
Louisiana urges schools to share new marijuana school-zone penalties
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is asking schools to notify students, staff, and spectators about a new law that increases penalties for smoking or vaping marijuana within 2,000 feet of school property. The measure can carry up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine, and the governor says it applies at school events as well as on nearby streets, sidewalks, and parking areas.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.netRhode Island adult-use cannabis stores remain unopened amid licensing delays
Rhode Island’s planned adult-use cannabis retailers have still not opened years after legalization, with licensing and regulatory delays slowing the rollout. The article says 24 stores remain in limbo while the market waits for approvals and operational clearance.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.com
Humboldt County settles lawsuit over cannabis cultivation fines
Humboldt County, California, resolved a federal lawsuit tied to penalties issued for alleged unpermitted cannabis cultivation. Under the settlement, the county will waive the challenged fees, revise its citation process to require notice and a 30-day response period, and pay $350,000 in legal costs.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.comConvenience products gain share in cannabis consumer demand
Industry demand is increasingly favoring products that are easy to use and portable, including disposable vapes, infused pre-rolls and pouch-style formats. The piece points to these formats as signs of how consumer preferences are shifting toward convenience in cannabis sales.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.com
Two Dispensary Brands You've Never Heard of Are Entering Florida's Weekly Numbers. Who's Next? [2026]
Florida's dispensary map is adding brands that had no approved retail locations a year ago — Fino Cannabis is dispensing from its first store, and Wildflower Cannabis just had its first location approved — and they arrived through two completely different doors while the state's 22 pending MMTC applications still wait on final agency action. Here's who the new entrants are, what their paths say ab
GreenScreens · greenscreens.tvIn the directory: Greenscreens
New Mexico opens applications for medical psilocybin producers
New Mexico has started accepting applications from prospective producers for its medical psilocybin program, marking a step toward launching the therapeutic system. The program was created by last year’s legislation and is intended to serve patients with qualifying conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life care.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.netMinnesota and Wisconsin cannabis markets diverge on regulation pace
The article compares how Minnesota is moving through a more regulated cannabis rollout while Wisconsin is advancing with fewer formal requirements. It focuses on the differing policy environments shaping each state’s cannabis market development.
Vicente LLP · news.google.comIn the directory: Vicente LlpTexas cannabis market remains small as larger operators eye growth
Texas’ cannabis industry is still limited in size, but larger cannabis companies are watching the state for future expansion potential. The article discusses the market’s current constraints and why major operators view Texas as an opportunity if the regulatory environment develops further.
Vicente LLP · news.google.comIn the directory: Vicente LlpKentucky medical cannabis sector reaches 24 licensed dispensaries
Kentucky’s medical cannabis market has reached a milestone with 24 dispensaries now licensed. The story focuses on the state’s rollout progress and the current level of retail licensing in the program.
Richmond Register · news.google.com
Missouri defends hemp product ban in federal court challenge
Missouri officials are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state’s new ban on intoxicating hemp products. The case centers on whether the law creates conflicting definitions of hemp and marijuana, leaving businesses uncertain about what can be sold when the measure takes effect in November.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.net
Alabama’s second medical cannabis dispensary opens in Talladega
A second medical cannabis dispensary has opened in Alabama, with Callie’s Apothecary launching its Talladega location after opening its first store in Montgomery earlier this year. State officials said the opening marks another step in the rollout of Alabama’s medical cannabis program, which is expected to reach 12 dispensaries once early licensees are operating.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.net
Op-ed says federal rescheduling could accelerate cannabis M&A
An op-ed argues that the federal marijuana rescheduling move is likely to encourage more mergers, acquisitions and restructuring across the cannabis sector. It says operators, investors and lenders are now assessing whether businesses are better positioned as acquirers, targets or neither, while longer-term rulemaking and litigation continue.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.netNew Mexico cannabis businesses sue over BioTrack shutdown
Cannabis businesses and trade groups in New Mexico have filed suit over the planned shutdown of BioTrack services used for state compliance tracking. The case argues the transition could disrupt day-to-day reporting and inventory oversight for operators in the state.
CRB Monitor News · news.google.comIn the directory: Biotrack
Canada’s monthly cannabis sales top California’s in June
Licensed cannabis retailers in Canada posted a record monthly sales total in June, putting the country ahead of California for that month in legal cannabis revenue. The report also notes that Canada’s store density is higher than California’s and that the Canadian market has continued to expand through domestic growth and export activity.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.comNearly 900 applicants compete for 77 Missouri marijuana licenses
Missouri has opened its final microbusiness licensing round after a wave of prior revocations and changes to the program. The state is now reviewing nearly 900 applications for 77 marijuana licenses under tighter ownership rules.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.com
Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program Reaches Over Halfway to Full Operation
Kentucky’s governor said the state has moved past the halfway point toward fully operating its medical cannabis market, citing growth in licensed cultivators, processors, safety compliance facilities and dispensaries. He also said more than 25,000 patients have been approved for medical cannabis cards and that a new dispensary opening would mark another step in expanding access.
Marijuana Moment · marijuanamoment.netViola founder warns hemp ban could hit compliant operators
Viola founder Al Harrington said broad hemp restrictions can disadvantage companies that have been operating within existing rules. The article also notes Texas exempted hemp beverages from its recent crackdown, while federal regulators may move toward a 3-5 mg limit for hemp products.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.comIn the directory: Cannabrands
JARS Cannabis to acquire Sonoran Roots in Arizona dispensary expansion
JARS Cannabis plans to acquire Sonoran Roots, a move that would combine the companies’ retail and vertically integrated operations into a 27-store dispensary network. The deal would rebrand Sonoran Roots’ Ponderosa dispensaries under the JARS Cannabis name and is expected to close after regulatory approvals.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.comDEA transcript released as marijuana rescheduling ruling approaches
The DEA has published a transcript from the marijuana rescheduling hearing as the administrative judge considers whether to recommend moving cannabis to Schedule III. The filing comes as the federal process moves closer to a decision on whether to change marijuana’s current scheduling status.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.comIn the directory: Mjbiz
Illinois Adds Two Conditions to Medical Cannabis Program
Illinois health officials added polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome with chronic pain and sickle cell disease to the state’s list of qualifying medical cannabis conditions. The update expands access under the medical program, which already covers more than 50 conditions.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.com
Cova Software says it will support hemp and CBD retailers after Square exit
Cova Software says it remains committed to serving hemp, CBD, and cannabis retailers after Square’s exit from the category. The company framed the change as a reminder that regulated retailers need technology and payment providers built for shifting compliance requirements and operational continuity. It also said it can help merchants migrate POS data, configure systems, train staff, and connect integrated payments.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.comIn the directory: Cova SoftwareNew Mexico credit union to exit cannabis banking amid competition
US Eagle Federal Credit Union plans to shut down its cannabis banking arm on Nov. 1. The credit union said the decision is tied to increased competition in the market rather than a lack of demand for cannabis banking services.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.comIn the directory: Needham Bank Cannabis Banking, Safe Harbor Financial, Dama Financial, FundcannaGrown Rogue buys PharmaCann’s New York medical cannabis permit
Grown Rogue is entering New York through a $4.5 million purchase of PharmaCann assets, including a medical cannabis permit. The deal is tied to the company’s interest in adding indoor flower cultivation capacity in a market where it sees supply constraints.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.comIn the directory: Grown Rogue
Michigan operator closes five dispensaries over wholesale cannabis tax
A Michigan cannabis company said it will suspend operations at five of its nine dispensaries, citing the state’s 24% wholesale cannabis tax alongside existing retail excise and sales taxes. The company said its remaining four dispensaries will stay open while broader industry pressures continue to affect operators in the state.
Ganjapreneur · ganjapreneur.comAurora Cannabis urges shareholders to reject Curaleaf takeover bid
Aurora Cannabis said shareholders should dismiss Curaleaf Holdings’ unsolicited takeover proposal and disputed several statements Curaleaf made in support of the offer. The company said its board and a special committee are reviewing the bid, which it described as hostile.
MJBizDaily · mjbizdaily.comIn the directory: Aurora CannabisNew law could remove some THC gummies and drinks from hemp status
A new federal measure could change how certain THC-infused gummies and beverages are classified under hemp rules. The article focuses on the potential legal impact for products that currently rely on hemp definitions for market access.
Law Commentary · news.google.com
Congress Might Delay the Hemp Ban. Square Isn't Waiting. What the October 15 Shutoff Means for Florida Stores [2026]
On August 7, Square told its sellers to pull every CBD and hemp item from their catalogs by October 15 — weeks before the federal ban takes effect, and regardless of whether Congress moves the date to December. The hemp disruption now has a start date no funding bill can slip. Here's why the payments layer moved first, and what it means for Florida dispensaries expecting the customer migration.
GreenScreens · greenscreens.tvIn the directory: Greenscreens
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