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🌿 Circle K readies for hemp rollout, SCOTUS considers cannabis gun case, and Rick Ross betting on THC beverages

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: Circle K readies for hemp rollout, SCOTUS considers cannabis gun case, Rick Ross betting on THC beverages, and more. Let’s get to it.

Author

Alex Lipnik
October 24, 2025

together with

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:

  • Circle K readies for hemp rollout

  • SCOTUS considers cannabis gun case

  • Rick Ross betting on THC beverages

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL
Business

Source: Circle K

Cannabis convenience. Circle K, one of the largest convenience store chains in North America, is entering the cannabis market through a new partnership to sell hemp-derived THC beverages. Beginning in late 2025, Circle K plans to launch the drinks in select stores across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, with a broader rollout to as many as 3,000 locations nationwide in 2026. The beverages are being developed in collaboration with Horticulture Co. and NBA legend Allen Iverson.

“This partnership makes the brand one of the most accessible in the space overnight and boosts awareness of the category within one of the most trusted retail environments, all while reinforcing both brand credibility and consumer confidence. It’s about as close to a national rollout as the industry has seen to date.”

Saf Sadiq, Horticulture’s CEO to MJBizDaily

This move marks one of the most significant entries by a mainstream retailer into the hemp-derived THC sector following similar experiments by Target and Total Wine & More, and signaling growing legitimacy and consumer demand for these products.

Policy

Source: Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Cannabis carry. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review whether individuals who regularly use cannabis can legally possess firearms, challenging a federal law that prohibits gun ownership for illegal drug users.

The case arose from a Texas man's gun charge dismissal after he admitted to regular cannabis use, with the blanket ban being deemed unconstitutional. The Justice Department appealed, arguing the restriction is a valid public safety measure.

The decision could impact the intersection of gun rights and state-level cannabis legalization laws. Arguments are expected in early 2026, with a ruling likely by summer.

Business

Source: Prince Williams / WireImage / Getty

Cannabis culture. Rapper Rick Ross has partnered with South Beach Brewing Company to launch a line of THC/CBD-infused drinks, marking a bold expansion into the cannabis beverage market.

"Rick Ross's energy and vision are a perfect match for us. We want to create bold, authentic drinks that capture the South Beach vibe, and this partnership will make every single sip feel like a moment of luxury and love."

Lorenzo Borghese, founder of South Beach Brewing Company

The collaboration introduces two infused drinks: “Slack Tide,” featuring watermelon and mint flavoring, and “High Tide,” containing blueberry and strawberry notes.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Minnesota: Governor Tim Walz signed a cannabis compact with the Prairie Island Indian Community, the third such of its kind.

New York: The Office of Cannabis Management accused Omnium Health of running a "rent-a-license" scheme, seeking license revocation, penalties, and a recall of illegally produced cannabis products.

Pennsylvania: Lawmakers have introduced a bill to establish a Cannabis Control Board responsible for regulating the state’s medical cannabis program.

🤝 DEALS

Curio Wellness expands national presence

The vertically integrated multi-state operator did so by acquiring four high-volume retail dispensaries in Missouri operating under the Greenlight brand.

đź’¨ QUICK HITTERS

  • NBA star Kevin Love has invested in Shift Naturals to support the functional hemp brand's expansion.

  • Organigram revealed Beena Goldenberg will extend her tenure as CEO through November while the company completes its search for a new leader.

  • Delaware officials warn of a scam impersonating a licensed cannabis dispensary to sell illegal products.

  • One-third of cannabis business permits in Port Hueneme, California are being cut by city council.

  • LĂĽt has appointed Mark Lewis as President of Specialty Payments to lead its expansion into the cannabis, iGaming and franchise sectors.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Dialing down dope: Trump White House moves toward easing restrictions on marijuana (Fox News)

  • How a former Mozilla CMO uses AI to create a new cannabis cocktail brand (Business Insider)

  • Cannabis growers in New York highlight challenges, benefits of the crop (Spectrum News)

  • In her first interview since returning to CCC, Shannon O’Brien looks ahead (Boston Globe)

  • Independent dispensaries drown as recreational cannabis supply shortage drags on (Minnesota Public Radio)

  • West Virginia has collected $34 million from its medical cannabis program. It hasn’t spent a penny. (Mountain State Spotlight)

  • Pennsylvania should craft an equitable cannabis policy (The Hawk)

📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
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