AGP Executive Report

Federal Cannabis Legal Fight: Nebraska, Indiana and Louisiana AGs sued to block the Trump DOJ’s move to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, arguing the process skipped required public rulemaking and may conflict with a 1967 narcotics treaty. State Medical Access: Georgia’s “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act” expands qualifying conditions and speeds access to medical cannabis, including higher THC limits and faster relief via inhalation. Regulatory Leadership: Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee nominated Michelle Reddish to chair the Cannabis Control Commission, filling a vacancy after the prior chair resigned. Hemp Rule Update: New Zealand’s hemp industry welcomed a new regulatory framework that revokes outdated 2006 rules and places low-THC hemp under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Consumer Safety Alerts: Missouri issued recalls for hundreds of disposable cannabis cartridges after testing was done before processing into vape form, and warned patients to stop using affected products. Local Enforcement: New York’s Office of Cannabis Management shut down three Broome County cannabis shops after reports of untested, illegal products causing adverse health effects. Market & Policy Money: California collected nearly $248M in cannabis excise tax in Q1 2026, funding programs from childcare to youth substance abuse prevention. Industry Growth: Oceanside, California approved cannabis cultivation on 25 hoop houses in South Morro Hills, moving a local hemp operation toward cannabis.

Medical Safety Check: A new explainer warns that “legal” cannabis and over-the-counter CBD aren’t automatically safe, citing THC’s effects on coordination, reaction time, focus, anxiety/panic, possible psychosis, and lung harm from smoking. Courtroom Update (Nebraska): Jacy Todd, a former York notary tied to medical marijuana petition notarization misconduct, has filed an appeal after a conviction and fine—his defense calls the case “politicized.” Public Health (Ireland): Toxicology research finds a sharp rise in cocaine and cannabis detections among Irish drivers, underscoring the need for targeted prevention and enforcement. Medical Cannabis Access (UK): Derek Chisora says he uses prescribed medical cannabis for chronic pain under clinician oversight, pushing a regulated-access message. Industry & Markets (Ghana): Ghana’s new legal hemp/cannabis market is looking to Vermont’s model for regulation and training as the first local cannabis studies cohort prepares to graduate. Policy Watch (Illinois): Illinois lawmakers consider tightening cannabis rules and hemp registration as federal shifts loom, including changes tied to rescheduling and hemp THC categories. UK Medical Market (Partnership): SOMAÍ signs an exclusive UK deal to launch internationally recognized cannabinoid brands via IPS Pharma and Integro Clinics. Enforcement (Canada): OPP charges three after a probe into an illegal online cannabis dispensary, seizing about $1.1M in product. Business/Finance (IIPR): Cannabis REIT Innovative Industrial Properties repaid $282M in senior notes due May 2026, easing near-term refinancing pressure. Brand/Consumer (THC Drinks): Upstate Elevator’s Yuzu Lemonade THC Spritz spotlights low-dose THC beverage trends, while a separate report notes THC detection and impairment concerns remain in the spotlight. Medical Lifestyle (Celeb): Katie Price promotes CBD oil for sleep and anxiety amid her husband’s disappearance case. Medical Cannabis & Pain (Boxing): Chisora’s campaign adds to the growing stream of patient-led stories about regulated medical cannabis use. CBD Protest (South Africa): Six people were injured during a Krugersdorp CBD protest after police fired rubber bullets. Company Recognition (Canada/Europe): Village Farms International wins “Producer of the Year” at the Business of Cannabis Awards, highlighting EU-GMP cultivation and export momentum.

Federal Rescheduling Push: A D.C. judge tossed an anti-hemp Medicare challenge, letting a Medicare-linked hemp reimbursement pilot keep moving—another sign federal healthcare may slowly open the door for cannabinoid wellness. DEA Hearing Prep: NORML filed to join the DEA’s June 29 rescheduling hearing, arguing the record must include adult consumers and warning Schedule III isn’t the finish line. Illinois Overhaul: Illinois lawmakers are weighing a broad cannabis/hemp rewrite (HB 5784/SB 20) aimed at easing burdens on smaller and social-equity operators, including changes to security, possession limits, and hemp pathways. Regulatory Leadership: Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee nominated Michelle Reddish to chair the Cannabis Control Commission, after a vacancy since last October. Market Moves: Vireo completed its $88.5M purchase of a New York cultivation facility from Innovative Industrial Properties. Clinical Signal: A new study reports improvements in chronic pain symptoms (fibromyalgia, RA, osteoarthritis) with CBD/THC and related cannabinoid mixes.

Medical Evidence Push: A new trial reports “significant improvements” in pain and quality of life for fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis patients using CBD/THC and other cannabinoid mixes, with sleep and mental health among the biggest wins. Regulatory Pressure on Hemp: A top marijuana reform group warns Congress won’t stop a federal crackdown that could effectively ban many hemp THC products by counting multiple THC forms toward the 0.3% limit. Industry & Capital: FundCanna secured up to $60M in credit to finance cannabis businesses as rescheduling talk heats up, while MedX Holdings flagged strong Q1 growth and expansion. Legal Backlash: A new Illinois/Connecticut class action alleges cannabis companies oversold medical benefits and downplayed risks. On-the-ground Enforcement: Durban authorities arrested 23 undocumented people and shut five non-compliant shops in a CBD crackdown. Access & Advocacy: Kenya-linked pharmacist-researcher Dr Phyllis Kimani is urging epilepsy to be treated as a public health priority.

Election Fallout: New Mexico’s governor race is getting uglier fast, with attack ads targeting all five candidates over personal and political baggage. Policy Push: A House Transportation panel advanced a bill that would study drugged driving and propose “evidence-based impairment standards” for intoxicating cannabinoids. Medical Access: Delaware signed a law allowing terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals (no smoking/vaping; facilities can set rules). Industry & Markets: MMJ International says recent Medicare-related coverage misses the science story behind cannabinoid medicines, while a new report argues insurance-integrated cannabis could shift the sector from retail discounting to higher-margin healthcare. Real-World Use: Derek Chisora says he uses prescribed medical cannabis for chronic pain after boxing. Research: A Sweden trial reports rapid, months-long depression improvements after a single psilocybin dose plus therapy. Regulatory Context: The week also kept spotlight on the ongoing federal-state mismatch after rescheduling.

Federal–State Tension: DOJ’s move to reclassify some medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III still won’t make weed fully legal federally, leaving states to carry the policy load and patients stuck in a patchwork. Workplace & Public Health: New research suggests evening cannabis may boost next-day work engagement for some people, while separate coverage keeps spotlighting impairment and youth vaping risks. Regulation Watch: Missouri regulators are preparing the final microbusiness lottery with tighter rules aimed at cutting predatory deals. Global Controls: Thailand’s stricter “medical-only” framework is rolling out, but enforcement looks uneven on the ground. Medical Science: Alzheimer’s researchers report progress by leaning on the brain’s own waste-cleaning system, and a small trial links inflammation-targeting therapy to improved depression outcomes. Market Noise: A fresh CBD market growth forecast keeps circulating, but today’s real signal is policy and enforcement—still the biggest driver.

Sewage scandal hits Durban: Residents are furious after raw sewage bubbled up in the eThekwini CBD and flowed into storm drains and the harbour for days, with critics calling it “criminal” neglect of infrastructure. UK cannabis enforcement: Police found an Albanian man on the run from a first cannabis farm after a second haul in Scunthorpe, with court hearing details pointing to large-scale cultivation. Caribbean sentencing: A Vincentian man who fled drug charges abroad was ordered to serve an additional 13 years at home after a cannabis trafficking conviction. Medical vs street cannabis confusion: Barbados police warned that reforms don’t mean people can smoke openly in public, while advocates say enforcement struggles to distinguish medicinal cannabis from illegal supply. Policy tightening abroad: Greece moved to ban retail cannabis flower products nationwide, while Thailand’s new rules face claims of uneven real-world enforcement. Workplace testing update (US): DOT clarified “directly observed” urine testing in certain federal cases where oral fluid testing isn’t possible, effective June 10.

Youth & Public Health: A new Canadian youth report says nearly half of young people are mixing substance use with sex, spotlighting safety and education gaps. Travel Rules: TSA is pushing a simple “pump, squeeze, spread & smear” reminder for carry-ons to avoid delays, as weed travel guidance keeps shifting. Law & Confusion: Barbados police warn smoking marijuana in public is still arrestable, while lawmakers elsewhere keep debating what “legal” really means. Policy Shockwaves: Greece has moved to ban retail sales of cannabis flower products nationwide. Market Pressure: Michigan’s marijuana industry is bracing for more consolidation as a new 24% wholesale tax hits, on top of oversupply and price drops. Health Research: A large U.S. medical-record analysis links cannabis use disorder with a more than three-fold higher lung cancer diagnosis rate. Industry Moves: Wholeleaf eyes pan-India expansion for cannabinoid pain therapeutics, while New Jersey lawmakers advance changes that could loosen THC drink limits sold in liquor stores.

Regulatory Crackdown: Greece has moved fast—its medicines regulator ordered retailers nationwide to stop selling dried cannabis flower products immediately, regardless of THC content, with inspectors set to check compliance. Healthcare Access Pressure: In Victoria, Sexual Health Victoria is closing its CBD clinic and consolidating services in Box Hill, forcing thousands of patients to travel farther as demand outpaces funding. Medicare Hemp Fight: A U.S. court let CMS keep its Medicare hemp program running for seniors while federal restrictions loom, keeping beneficiaries as the “test case.” Policy & Industry Watch: Illinois lawmakers advanced major healthcare workforce funding (PATH) and other bills, while MariMed highlighted disciplined growth after another strong quarter. Market Signals: THC drink rules are shifting in New Jersey—liquor-store sales could expand—while South Florida’s THC seltzer trend faces a November measurement change.

Rescheduling Standoff (US): Alabama health officials voted to object to the federal marijuana rescheduling, buying 30–60 days for state input before the change takes effect. Retail THC Push (US): New Jersey lawmakers advanced a bill that would let liquor stores sell larger, high-THC hemp drink bottles—raising fresh youth and public-health alarms. Medical Access (US): New Orleans’ West Bank opened a new medical marijuana dispensary, adding to the growing network of licensed sites. Business & Community (US): Mrs. Green’s CANNAry launched a $2,500 Women in Cannabis scholarship for Genesee County students at SUNY/CUNY. Health Debate: A large US study links cannabis use disorder with a higher lung cancer risk, while another lab study argues cannabis vape pens emit fewer toxins than smoked joints. Global Policy Watch: Nigeria’s National Assembly is reportedly drafting a regulated medical/industrial cannabis legalization framework, while London Green councils signal plans to resist parts of national safeguarding and immigration enforcement.

Xenophobia Watch: Human Rights Watch warns South Africa is seeing a new wave of xenophobic attacks as anti-immigration groups step up protests and vigilante-style harassment, including intimidation, evictions, clinic discrimination, and even physical assaults. Policy Crossroads: Delaware lawmakers are split over the future of hemp-derived THC products—whether they get folded into regulated marijuana sales or handled under a separate framework. Youth Safety: New reporting highlights a surge in youth exposure to THC edibles and flavored disposable vapes, with parents urged to treat any kid contact as urgent. Enforcement: India’s Narcotics Control Bureau seized 702 kg of ganja worth about ₹3 crore hidden in grocery cargo in Gondia, arresting two suspects. Industry & Research: Augusta University researchers propose genetically engineering cannabis to produce green hydrogen fuel while also generating therapeutic cannabinoids. Legal/Business: Colorado Springs continues to market itself as a meetings hub, while Virginia remains stuck after Gov. Spanberger vetoed retail cannabis sales.

Federal Rescheduling Momentum: The DOJ is easing federal restrictions on state-licensed medical marijuana by moving many qualifying products from Schedule I to Schedule III, a shift that could reduce tax pressure and open the door for more research. Workplace & Safety Pushback: GOP lawmakers and anti-marijuana groups are pushing a “carve-out” to keep THC testing penalties for safety-sensitive workers, even as DOT says its rules aren’t tied to the new schedule. State Implementation Friction: Alabama is delaying rescheduling implementation to map out how it will work in practice, while Virginia’s governor vetoed retail cannabis bills—despite polling showing strong public support. Enforcement on the Ground: Police raids and crackdowns are hitting cannabis and hemp sweets alongside counterfeit tobacco, while cities like Philadelphia weigh tougher licensing and testing rules for kratom and hemp-derived products. Public Health Access: New data flags delays for teens seeking cannabis treatment, with about 31% reporting wait times.

Virginia Retail Veto: Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed HB 642 and SB 542, again blocking a regulated adult-use cannabis retail marketplace, citing a “rushed timeline,” weak implementation structure, and “resources needed” to replace the illicit market. Youth Access Gap: A new U.S. study finds 31% of teens diagnosed with cannabis use disorder faced delays getting treatment, with the worst gaps for younger teens and males. Workplace & Policy Ripple: Connecticut’s sweeping Public Act 26-12 overhauls workplace rules, while Virginia’s vetoes add fresh friction inside the same-party coalition. Travel Rules Update: TSA guidance is shifting for medical marijuana flyers, but safety-sensitive transportation workers still face strict limits. Public Health Signals: Small studies keep pointing to potential benefits—medical cannabis tied to lower opioid use in chronic pain patients—while other surveys show meaningful cannabis use among arthritis patients. Enforcement Push: New Haven shut down two smoke shops after alleged high-THC sales, as cities tighten licensing and zoning.

Policy Shock in Virginia: Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed Virginia’s “rushed” adult-use retail cannabis market, arguing the timeline and number of stores were too aggressive—pushing legal sales to at least 2027 and reigniting a years-long stalemate. Travel Rules Still Messy: TSA updated its medical-marijuana wording, but left travelers without clear “how it works” instructions, keeping the risk of local law enforcement referrals. Market Momentum Abroad: Europe’s medical marijuana market is projected to surge through 2034 as more doctors and regulators expand access. Industry Expansion: Panda Biotech and Culturewell Hemp launched India’s first integrated hemp fiber-to-yarn supply chain, aiming to feed large-scale textile demand. Public Health & Safety: A study links cannabis+tobacco co-use patterns with higher psychosis risk in youth at high risk, while a separate report highlights how drugged driving tracking still lags behind alcohol.

Virginia Cannabis Standoff: Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed Virginia’s retail marijuana bill (HB 642/SB 542), pushing legal sales to at least 2027 and angering Democrats who say it leaves an “unchecked illicit market.” Public Safety Push: TSA updated medical-marijuana travel language, but the message is still clear—if weed is found during screening, TSA refers it to law enforcement, and federal rules can still trip up travelers. School Incident: In Minnesota, parents were arrested after “THC-laced candy” sickened 12 middle school students. Enforcement Spotlight: Palm Beach County jail staff and inmates were accused in a synthetic cannabinoid “paper dope” trafficking ring tied to overdoses. Industry Watch: Paramus, NJ is facing a possible shift as a bill would let medical dispensaries get recreational licenses without town approval. Health & Policy: A Swedish study found adults with ADHD plus substance use disorder are nearly twice as likely to stop ADHD medication as those with ADHD alone.

Medical Access Under Fire (Texas/ICE): A Texas woman in ICE detention at Fort Bliss is reportedly being denied urgent ovarian-cyst surgery despite doctors warning she needs critical care, renewing pressure on how detainees get treatment. Employer Cannabis Push (Leafwell): Leafwell is pitching physician-led medical cannabis as a mainstream option for cancer symptoms and chronic pain, tying it to employer mental-health benefits and citing large patient reach. Policy Momentum, With Limits (Minnesota): Minnesota lawmakers approved a study pathway for a magic mushroom pilot, stopping short of full rollout but setting up research reporting. Regulation & Retail Friction (Virginia): Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed bills that would expand Virginia’s adult-use retail market, keeping sales medical-only for now. Travel Rules Shift (TSA): TSA says passengers can fly with doctor-prescribed cannabis in carry-on and checked bags, focusing on security rather than drug searches. Enforcement Spotlight (NY): Queens DA shut an unlicensed Bell Boulevard cannabis storefront after a court-authorized raid seized illicit product worth about $10M. Clinical Education (CME): TheAnswerPage.com launched a new CME/CE course on Cannabis Use Disorder and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.