AGP Executive Report

Hemp & cannabis regulation: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed SB 3222, immediately banning “intoxicating hemp” sales to anyone under 21 and setting tougher rules for products like Delta-8/THC-P/HHC starting in November, aiming to cut misleading marketing and improve oversight. Driving & medical access: In NSW, clinicians warn Labor’s “three-strikes” medicinal cannabis driving plan could still punish patients with THC traces, including a proposed 24-hour ban, while Liberals and Nationals push to scrap the policy. Market pressure & enforcement: Washington’s cannabis regulators say federal rescheduling uncertainty, oversupply, and illicit-market enforcement challenges are squeezing the state’s legal industry. Medical cannabis uptake: Alabama’s first dispensary reported 100+ qualifying patients buying medical cannabis in its opening week, with limited supply as demand ramps. Public health & addiction: Nigeria’s drug abuse experts and church leaders urged stronger prevention and rehab efforts after claims that 14.4 million Nigerians have been exposed to psychoactive substances. Research & consumer health: A University of Calgary study found cannabis vapour can trigger “munchies” in rats by activating hunger-related brain circuits.

Medical Access (US/UK): Alabama’s first dispensary opened June 4 and already logged 102 patients across 111 transactions, while the UK’s Releaf says it now has 600+ patients in the Humber region using prescribed medical cannabis. Policy & Driving Safety (Australia): NSW clinicians warn Labor’s “three strikes” approach for medicinal cannabis drivers (including a 24-hour ban even for patients) isn’t evidence-based, with a proposed 50ng/ml THC threshold criticized as an administrative convenience. Regulation & Market Moves (US): Trulieve became the first major US cannabis operator to list on the NYSE (ticker TRLV), following federal medical marijuana reclassification to Schedule III—positioning medical operators for easier research and business operations. Enforcement (US): Nevada County and CDFW eradicated 14,619 illegal cannabis plants in joint operations targeting suspected water pollution. Health & Research: A University of Calgary study reports “munchies” in rats after cannabis vapor exposure, linking cannabis to hunger circuits. Community: A Portage la Prairie shelter partnered with Fire & Flower to run a CBD/cannabis-linked food drive for pets.

Federal Policy Shift: The U.S. has officially reclassified medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a move supporters say could speed research and ease tax barriers for state-legal operators. Market & Listings: Trulieve became the first major U.S. cannabis operator to list on the NYSE after restructuring to separate adult-use from medical operations. State Regulation & Driving: NSW is rolling out a three-strikes approach for medicinal cannabis drivers, but GPs and trauma specialists warn the 24-hour ban and a 50ng/ml THC threshold aren’t truly evidence-based. Local Taxes: Los Angeles voters approved measures that raise taxes on unlicensed cannabis businesses and online travel bookings, while a separate health-funding sales tax measure also passed. Enforcement Focus: California agencies reported major raids destroying thousands of illegal cannabis plants and seizing firearms, including operations targeting sites linked to water pollution. Medical Access Politics: New Hampshire vetoed a bill that would have let medicinal dispensaries grow in on-site greenhouses, citing concerns about expanding cultivation. Industry Watch: Tennessee’s THCA ban begins July 1, forcing retailers to pull smokable THCA products and raising fears of closures and job losses.

Kentucky Medical Cannabis Access: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentuckians can’t bring medical marijuana from other states starting July 1, ending the out-of-state “pardon” option as in-state supply ramps up. Virginia Adult-Use Push: Lawmakers and Gov. Abigail Spanberger are negotiating a new framework for a legal recreational marketplace after a veto-heavy stretch, with a tentative deal aimed at expanding access beyond the current medical system. Enforcement Crackdowns: Nevada County and California Fish and Wildlife eradicated 14,619 illegal plants in joint operations tied to suspected water pollution, while Siskiyou County reported another major summer enforcement push destroying hundreds of illegal plants. Policy & Court Moves: Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court let a recreational repeal initiative proceed to the November ballot; in Los Angeles, voters approved higher taxes on unlicensed cannabis operators and changes affecting online travel taxes. Public Health & Safety: Ontario Poison Centre warned of a third poisoning linked to “cannabis” use in Sault Ste. Marie, urging harm-reduction steps like not using alone and calling 911. Responsible Use Campaign: St. Kitts and Nevis Medical Cannabis Authority launched a nationwide responsible use campaign focused on safe, lawful engagement and medical oversight. CBD/Health Content: A report highlights magnesium-rich foods (including hemp seeds) as potential supports for sleep and stress regulation.

Public Health Warning: Ontario Poison Centre reports a third suspected poisoning in the Sault Ste. Marie area after people used what they believed was cannabis, with officials urging 911 for signs like inability to wake, slow breathing, blue lips, or limpness, plus “never use alone” and low-dose harm-reduction. State Policy Push: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed SB 3222, immediately banning intoxicating hemp sales to anyone under 21 and tightening packaging/marketing rules, while also doubling adult marijuana possession limits and aligning hemp THC limits with federal definitions. Medical Cannabis Access: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ends the out-of-state medical marijuana purchase option starting July 1, saying in-state supply now covers patients. Regulatory/Legal Battles: Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court kept a ballot question to repeal 2016 recreational legalization on track for November. Industry & Oversight: Illinois also moved to restrict intoxicating hemp loopholes and expand medical access, while Maine issued a statewide recall of a cannabis strain due to unsafe yeast and mold levels. Safety & Risk: A new discussion piece highlights why cannabis psychosis risk may be higher for vulnerable people, especially teens and young adults.

Regulation Update (Rhode Island): Rhode Island’s Senate confirmed Michelle Reddish as the new chair of the Cannabis Control Commission, with Robert Jacquard reappointed—aiming to keep oversight steady for medical and recreational cannabis and hemp. Market Access (Ukraine): Ukraine’s medical cannabis program is now operational, with THC capsules dispensed to veterans and a woman with MS across multiple pharmacies in several cities. Product Safety (Missouri): Missouri regulators recalled hundreds of marijuana vape pens after disputes over whether testing was done on the finished vape cartridges as required, not just bulk THC concentrate. Public Health (Youth): New research links earlier, heavier social media use with higher odds of teen experimentation with substances including cannabis. Responsible Use (Caribbean): St. Kitts and Nevis launched a Responsible Use Campaign to promote safe, lawful cannabis engagement, emphasizing medical and religious access only. Policy Watch (Georgia): Georgia dispensaries are educating patients ahead of July 1 medical cannabis law changes that expand qualifying conditions and allow flower (not smoked). Industry Launch (Canada): Village Farms launched Pure Sunfarms Pink Kush cured resin 510 vape in Canada, pushing a flower-forward format into the fastest-growing vape category.

Hemp & CBD Product Policy: Pennsylvania’s Senate rejected a bill that would have regulated “intoxicating hemp” and shifted medical marijuana oversight to a cannabis control board, leaving “gas station weed” largely unregulated. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Georgia’s Senate Bill 220 expands medical cannabis options from July 1, adding flower and vape products for faster relief for chronic pain patients. Regulators & Oversight: Rhode Island confirmed Michelle Reddish as the new Cannabis Control Commission chair, keeping the agency focused on regulating medical, recreational, and hemp markets. Animal Health CBD: Trait Biosciences reported early in-home, owner-reported mobility improvements in companion animals after topical CBD82S use, aiming to solve CBD’s water-solubility limits. Youth Use Risk: A Quebec study in Addiction found teen cannabis initiation risk rises most when friends use cannabis and teens believe it’s easy to get. Industry Dealmaking: K&L Gates advised Cannatrek on its approved sale to Little Green Pharma, signaling continued consolidation in Australia’s medicinal cannabis sector. Responsible Use Campaign: St. Kitts and Nevis launched a Responsible Use Campaign emphasizing legal access, medical oversight, and protection of vulnerable populations. Hemp Beverage Push: Hometown Hero will exhibit hemp-derived THC beverages at the Hemp Beverage Expo in Austin.

CBD/Medical Cannabis Travel Confusion: Michigan patients are getting mixed signals after TSA updated guidance to allow medical marijuana in carry-on and checked bags, while Delta says it still follows federal law that bans possession—leaving travelers unsure what will be enforced. Regulation Watch (THC + Kratom): South Carolina lawmakers are debating how to regulate fast-growing THC seltzers and kratom, with supporters pushing access and public-health groups warning about addiction and synthetic variants. Public Health & Safety: A neurologist warns that using cannabis to sleep can hide risks, and a new study links teenage risk-taking to lower baseline dopamine—adding fuel to debates over youth substance use. Policy + Industry Moves: FundCanna will embed its ReadyPaid BNPL into Apex Trading’s cannabis marketplace to speed payments for operators. Research/Clinical Pipeline: The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to a cannabis-derived full-spectrum drug for chronic low back pain, citing Phase 3 results showing pain reduction and no evidence of dependence. Market Signals: Cronos says its Spinach® vapes hit #1 in Canada with 10.4% market share in April 2026. Enforcement Trend: Ireland reports €427k+ in illegal psychoactive vape seizures since 2020, with a sharp spike in 2026.

Federal hemp/cannabinoid policy: The Trump administration says it’s ready to work with Congress to keep hemp-derived cannabinoid products legal, as a federal agriculture bill heads through lawmakers and could tighten what’s allowed at retail. Rescheduling ripple effects: A DOJ decision to move medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III is already changing the business math for operators and research, even as recreational cannabis stays stuck under federal rules. TSA travel confusion: TSA quietly updated its guidance language, removing “marijuana” from a key line while still listing medical marijuana as allowed with special instructions—so travelers should not assume anything has changed. Road safety rules: NSW is moving toward a “three strikes” approach for drivers with medicinal cannabis in their system, aiming to balance access with enforcement. State regulation fights: Pennsylvania’s Senate rejected a bill to create a Cannabis Control Board and crack down on intoxicating hemp THC products, while North Carolina lawmakers push for an age limit on hemp-based products. Industry & access: Trulieve is set to become the first U.S. cannabis company listed on the NYSE after federal rescheduling opened a pathway for medical operators. Local enforcement: Carpinteria cannabis growers are scrambling to install odor-control tech to avoid license revocations. Public health & safety: Europe’s drug report warns of more potent substances and vapes being used to deliver harmful compounds, raising new risks for consumers. CBD in the spotlight (and controversy): A Venice inquest heard a man smoked CBD before drowning, underscoring how CBD use can still show up in real-world safety stories.

Medical Cannabis Access & Policy: A VA FOIA-based op-ed says internal VA rules now give clearer “bright line” guidance for how clinicians discuss medical cannabis with veterans, after years of uncertainty. Federal Coverage Fight: A U.S. House Appropriations vote would block federal workers’ compensation from covering medical marijuana, even after rescheduling. Market & Listings: Florida’s Trulieve is set to become the first U.S. cannabis company listed on the NYSE (NYSE: TRLV), a move tied to medical marijuana’s Schedule III reclassification. Clinical Research: A new randomized study reports medical marijuana extracts can meaningfully improve cancer-related sleep and anxiety symptoms for about half of patients, with benefits varying by individual cannabinoid preference. Regulation Watch: Texas smokable-hemp rules are back in effect after an appeals court denied an emergency injunction, though enforcement timing remains unclear. Public Safety & Enforcement: Europe’s drug watchdog warns synthetic opioids and new substances are spreading fast, with vapes flagged as a potential delivery route for harmful drugs. CBD in the Real World: A Venice canal inquest heard a tourist smoked CBD before falling in, underscoring how CBD use can still intersect with safety concerns. Business Expansion: High Tide opened a new Canna Cabana in Welland, Ontario, and plans another in Calgary. Compliance & Labor: South Africa’s crackdown at a Cape Town construction site found 79 undocumented workers, highlighting tightening enforcement around cannabis-adjacent labor and compliance risks.

NYSE Milestone: Trulieve became the first U.S. cannabis company to list on the New York Stock Exchange after medical marijuana was reclassified to Schedule III, signaling more mainstream legitimacy for the sector. Virginia Retail Push: Gov. Abigail Spanberger says talks are making “substantial” progress toward a bill to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana sales, with negotiations focused on launch timing and implementation resources. Regulation Tech: California regulators rolled out an AI “Cannabis Product Image Analyzer” to help businesses flag packaging that could appeal to kids, aiming to tighten compliance. Hemp Under Pressure: Texas hemp rules targeting smokable hemp are back in limbo after an appeals court denied an emergency request to keep an injunction, affecting enforcement of new consumable hemp regulations. EU Drug Warning: A new EU report says drug trafficking is fueling violence and public health harms, with more potent cannabis products and shifting routes raising risks. UK Medicinal Access Clash: A councillor’s partner avoided jail after a cannabis grow case was dropped, highlighting ongoing gaps between legal prescriptions and restrictions on home growing. Community & Safety: Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management held listening sessions to explain how it regulates the cannabis industry and prevention grants.

Medicinal Cannabis Driving Rules (Australia): NSW is moving toward a “medically prescribed THC” driving limit, proposing enforcement cutoffs at 50 ng/mL in saliva and a tiered response for repeat positives. Medical Access (Texas): Texas patients in the Compassionate Use Program can now use vaporization products for the first time, aiming for faster-acting options than edibles or tinctures. Public Health & Youth Vaping: USM/National Poison Centre warns vapes are increasingly being misused to consume drugs, including synthetic cannabis and fentanyl—raising detection and treatment challenges. EU Drug Market Risks: The EU Drugs Agency flags 50 new psychoactive substances in 2025, warns vapes may carry harmful substances, and notes highly potent cannabis and mixed-drug use driving overdose risk. Industry & Markets (Trulieve): Trulieve is set to list on the NYSE (TRLV) and authorized a share repurchase program, signaling momentum for U.S. cannabis finance. Safety/Compliance (Florida): A teacher and students reportedly tested positive after THC-laced cookies made kids sick; separate reporting also highlights water-runoff concerns tied to a Trulieve facility. Regulation Watch (Tennessee): A July 1 ban on THC products at 0.3%+ (including THCA-converted THC) tightens what hemp shoppers can buy.

Federal Rescheduling Watch: The DOJ/DEA move to reschedule medical marijuana (Schedule I to Schedule III) keeps reshaping travel and access rules, with TSA guidance now updated for air passengers. Hemp Crackdown: A proposed Illinois law would shut down unlicensed intoxicating hemp shops, adding pressure to hemp-derived CBD sleep aids, THC drinks, and THCA products. Retail Access Push: California’s AB 2697 would let licensed cannabis retailers add drive-thru windows, aiming to improve access for patients with mobility limits. Industry Labor: Teamsters authorized a strike at Ascend Wellness in Illinois over wages, health care, and workplace protections. Enforcement on the Ground: Nevada County and CDFW eradicated 14,619 illegal cannabis plants, seizing processed cannabis and arresting two people. Medical Market Expansion: Harrison County, Mississippi denied an appeal and approved a medical cannabis dispensary/process facility. Public Health & Safety: Reports highlight high-potency cannabis risks tied to psychosis and addiction debates, while a separate case notes a teen e-bike crash involving cannabis use.

Medical Cannabis Access (US): Alabama’s first legal medical dispensary, Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery, has opened, letting patients buy physician-authorized products after years of delays, with more storefronts planned across the Gulf Coast. Regulation & Travel (US): TSA updated its medical marijuana travel guidance, clarifying that compliant medical products may be allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, while enforcement still hinges on federal rules. Industry & Compliance (Pets/Wellness): KND Labs president Nicholas Wilson was elected to the National Animal Supplement Council board as the company expands beyond hemp-derived work into broader animal and human wellness manufacturing. Business Moves (Canada): Red White & Bloom’s Emblem Cannabis closed its acquisition of Ayurcann’s Health Canada-licensed manufacturing operations, boosting vape and pre-roll brands and distribution. Public Health Debate: A new report highlights rising concerns around high-potency cannabis and mental health risks, including psychosis and addiction worries. Policy Fight (Idaho): Idaho lawmakers approved ballot language for a constitutional amendment that would block voters from legalizing marijuana via initiative. CBD/THC Drinks Watch: A US rule aimed at limiting intoxicating hemp-derived snacks and drinks could hit the fast-growing THC beverage market later this year.

CBD Coverage Update: The FDA says it won’t interfere with a CMS Medicare/Medicaid pilot that covers certain hemp-derived CBD products (up to $500/year) with tight THC limits; inhalable CBD is excluded. Travel & Safety: TSA updated its “What Can I Bring?” guidance for medical marijuana, stressing patients can carry state-licensed meds for use after arrival, not on the plane. Public Health & Youth: Fiji doctors report kids as young as Year 4/primary school starting cannabis or meth, with families often learning only after hospital visits. Medical Cannabis Access: Israel’s rehab system is scaling up for wounded soldiers, with mental health services a major focus. Industry & Regulation: Washington regulators warn federal rescheduling uncertainty and ongoing oversupply are pressuring the legal market. Community Impact: A Colorado county crackdown shows odor-control tech is becoming a compliance must for cannabis growers. Health Risks in Focus: A Q&A on COPD notes smoking history (tobacco and marijuana) can fit COPD, but diagnosis needs proper lung testing.

Federal Policy & Market Pressure: Washington’s legal cannabis industry is bracing for uncertainty tied to federal rescheduling, while regulators say oversupply is squeezing prices and illicit sales remain “thriving.” Travel & Patient Safety: TSA updated medical marijuana guidance, stressing patients should separate travel from dosing and use cannabis only after arriving, with airlines still banning smoking/vaping onboard. Medical Cannabis Access (Kentucky): An executive order expands medical cannabis access by adding new qualifying conditions. Regulation & Enforcement (Virginia): Virginia lawmakers are trying again to build a regulated adult-use cannabis market after a governor veto, even as hemp-derived CBD/THC products already circulate. CBD/Health Research: Studies highlight cannabis’s role in health conversations—from potential calming effects in Alzheimer’s models to findings that sleep habits tied to brain aging may matter for long-term wellness. Public Health & Youth Risks: New reporting flags ongoing concerns about cannabis use among teens and the need for clearer risk messaging.