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Happy Friday Pre Rollers! Welcome to another edition of The Pre Roll, the cannabis newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the industry happenings you need to know.
Here’s what we’re rolling up this week:
Canix acquires competitor Trym
United Center to debut hemp drinks
Scotts Miracle-Gro exits cannabis market
…and more. Let’s get to it.
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🚨 ROLL CALL
Tech
Source: Canix
Platform power-up. Canix, a cannabis enterprise resource planning (ERP) provider, announced the acquisition of cultivation software company Trym as part of a broader strategy to build a comprehensive, industry-leading technology platform.
The deal integrates Trym’s cultivation analytics, environmental monitoring, yield forecasting, and mobile workforce tools into Canix’s existing ERP, expanding its capabilities across cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and inventory management.
“Canix and Trym have been building in parallel for years, solving complementary problems for the same operators. We share a deep understanding of how cultivation actually works and what operators need to scale profitably. Joining forces allows us to deliver faster workflows, better data, and more powerful insights as part of a truly end-to-end ERP.”
The move reflects ongoing consolidation within the cannabis technology sector as operators increasingly seek unified, scalable systems to improve margins, operational efficiency, and profitability amid a constrained capital environment.
“Deep operational intelligence will define the next generation of market leaders. Our long-term goal is clear: We’re building the most advanced technology platform for cannabis operators—one that supports them from seed to sale, from compliance to optimization, and from local markets to global expansion. Trym’s cultivation expertise is essential to that vision.”
Canix also recently introduced integrated payment processing and ACH functionality to help cannabis operators better manage accounts receivable, collections, and cash flow in an industry with limited access to traditional financial services.
News
Source: Rythm
Beverage breakthrough. Chicago’s United Center, home to the NBA’s Bulls and the NHL’s Blackhawks, has become the first major U.S. arena to offer hemp-derived THC beverages at most concerts and live events through a new multi-year partnership with local brands Señorita and RYTHM.
The initiative marks a significant commercialization milestone for low-dose THC drinks. The initial rollout will have four 5 mg options that will be available at multiple points of sale throughout the venue for adults 21 and over. These include three Señorita flavors — Lime Jalapeño Margarita, Mango Margarita, and Grapefruit Paloma — and a mandarin orange offering from RYTHM.
The beverages will not be sold during Bulls or Blackhawks games due to league restrictions, but the launch reflects broader shifts in consumer preferences and highlights growing demand for non-alcoholic alternatives at entertainment venues.
“This partnership is a major milestone for the city of Chicago, and we are proud to partner with the United Center to offer Illinois’ leading THC beverages. Bringing Señorita and RYTHM to the United Center reflects a simple truth: consumers want non-alcoholic options, and leading venues are responding. The United Center is one of the world’s premier venues and continues to set the standard for live entertainment with the introduction of these modern, responsible options.”
Both brands have seen distribution momentum of late with placement in retailers such as Binny’s Beverage Depot, Woodman’s Food Markets, and Foxtrot Market.
Business
Source: The Hawthorne Gardening Company
Deliberate divestiture. Scotts Miracle-Gro is set to exit the cannabis industry by selling its cannabis supply subsidiary Hawthorne Gardening Company to multi-state operator to Vireo Growth.
The deal, expected to close in early 2026, allows Scotts to focus on its core lawn and garden business and shareholder returns, while Vireo gains Hawthorne’s cultivation supply platform to expand its vertically integrated cannabis operations.
“Through Hawthorne, we have spent years operating alongside the cannabis industry and working with a wide range of operators across markets, cycles, and business models. That experience has given us a clear view of what does and does not create durable value over time. After evaluating our strategic options, we concluded the most compelling path forward for our shareholders is to transition to an equity participation arrangement with Vireo. Vireo is well capitalized and has a strong platform and operating approach to be a market leader in the cannabis space. We have found a good home for Hawthorne that aligns with our interests while enabling us to sharpen the focus on our core business.”
Scotts will take a minority equity stake in Vireo and is expected to continue providing manufacturing and R&D support during a transition period.
Vireo intends to appoint Chris Hagedorn, Executive Vice President of Scotts Miracle‑Gro and head of the Hawthorne business, to its Board of Directors.
🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
California: Since establishing the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force in 2022, California has seized and destroyed more than $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis products, including $609 million seized in 2025 alone.
Minnesota: Officials say the state’s first government‑run cannabis dispensary, operated by the city of Anoka, is set to open next week.
Missouri: Seven cannabis growers were fined for violating the state’s “immaculate conception” rule by using out-of-state clones or seeds instead of locally grown plants.
Ohio: Cities that host cannabis dispensaries received their first round of tax revenue, with amounts varying widely by locality.
Rhode Island: Ninety-eight separate entities submitted applications for the limited number of new retail cannabis dispensary licenses available under the state’s regulatory rollout.
Virginia: A Senate committee narrowly advanced a bill to create a regulated adult‑use cannabis retail market with a proposed start date of January 1, 2027.
💼 BUSINESS
HARA Brands hits South America
The smoking accessories company’s flagship brand HEMPER is expanding into Argentina through an exclusive distribution partnership with Buenos Aires‑based Tabacalera Sarandí to sell a curated range of products nationwide as part of its international growth strategy.
💻 TECH
Safe Harbor scales with insurance
The provider of banking, lending, and financial services is expanding its services for the regulated cannabis and hemp industries by adding cannabis‑specific insurance solutions through strategic partnerships with Frontier Risk and AlphaRoot.
💨 QUICK HITTERS
Curaleaf revealed its intentions to wind down its hemp division and cease operations in Missouri.
Chicago’s City Council voted to ban the sale of most hemp‑derived THC products while carving out exemptions for hemp beverages and topical items.
TeaPot, a cannabis‑infused iced tea brand from The Boston Beer Company’s Canadian subsidiary, launched a new rosin-infused Blueberry Chamomile iced tea.
MediPharm Labs reported that CEO David Pidduck stepped down and CFO Greg Hunter has been named interim CEO while the company searches for long‑term leadership.
Circle K franchise locations in the Dallas–Fort Worth area have started selling Varin’s hemp‑derived THC beverages, marking an expansion into convenience stores despite regulatory uncertainty.
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
Curio Wellness CEO Michael Bronfein was an ‘anchor’ in Baltimore’s business world (Baltimore Banner)
High January Is the New Dry January (New York Times)
High on ... mustard? Cannabis industry teams up with chefs in push to stand out (The Guardian)
Disarming Millions of Americans Simply Because They Use Marijuana Is Unconstitutional, a SCOTUS Brief Says (Reason)
Who is behind the $1.5M spent to abolish legal weed sales in Massachusetts? (MassLive)
🎙️ POTCASTS
Robotics vs Automation in Cannabis Manufacturing (The Dime)
📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
🔎 JOB BOARD
Cresco Labs
$220,000—$250,000
Weedmaps
$160,000—$184,000
Verano
$105,000—$115,000
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💚,
The Pre Roll Team
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