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🌿 DEA drags feet on rescheduling, Cann recognized by TIME, and American basketball player faces death penalty

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: DEA drags feet on rescheduling, Cann recognized by TIME, American basketball player faces death penalty, and more. Let’s get to it.

Author

Alex Lipnik
October 10, 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.

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Here’s what we’re rolling up this week:

  • DEA drags feet on rescheduling

  • Cann recognized by TIME

  • American basketball player faces death penalty

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL
Policy

On hold. Despite the new DEA administrator previously pledging to prioritize cannabis rescheduling, the agency’s process remains stalled according to a recent update.

“To date, Movants’ interlocutory appeal to the Administrator regarding their Motion to Reconsider remains pending with the Administrator. No briefing schedule has been set.”

DEA filing regarding proposed rescheduling

In August, President Donald Trump made headlines when he said his administration is considering reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Business

Source: Cann

Game changer. Cannabis beverage pioneer Cann was recognized by TIME on its list of The Best Inventions of 2025 for its refreshing, low-calorie drinks that offer a sophisticated alternative to alcohol and appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking a balanced cannabis experience. The feature showcases the “300 best inventions making the world better, smarter, and more fun.”

Only 54% of Americans reported drinking alcohol in 2025—the smallest share in almost a century. Cann is capitalizing with an alternative social beverage. An 8 oz. serving of its microdose cannabis drinkable contains 2 mg of THC and 4 mg of CBD, capturing the “buzz people love with alcohol” without “the problematic stuff,” like high calories and hangovers, says CEO and co-founder Jake Bullock. With inventive flavors like grapefruit rosemary, it sold nearly 10 million cans in 2024. This year, the brand launched an Aperol Spritz-inspired bottle to share and a “naked roadie”—a flavorless liquid packet that can be mixed with other drinks.

Charlotte Hu, TIME Associate Editor

It was included in the Food & Drink category among other products “revolutionizing food production, preparation, and consumption.”

News

Source: Indonesian Basketball League (IBL)

Drug charge. American basketball player Jarred Shaw is facing the death penalty or life in prison in Indonesia under the country’s strict drug laws after his arrest in May for attempting to import cannabis gummies. Shaw says he uses the edibles for medical purposes.

“I use cannabis as a medicine. I have an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s disease that’s incurable. There’s no medicine apart from cannabis that stops my stomach from aching.”

Jarred Shaw in a phone interview with the Guardian from a prison just outside Jakarta

He admits he “made a stupid mistake” but feels the punishment on the table doesn’t fit the crime and hopes to continue his basketball career if given another chance.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

California: Governor Gavin Newsom announced 99.8% compliance with emergency rules on intoxicating hemp and moved to regulate all intoxicating cannabinoids under a unified regulatory framework regardless of whether they contain cannabis or hemp.

Florida: An appeals court ruled that smelling cannabis alone is no longer sufficient probable cause to justify a vehicle search.

New York: Legal cannabis sales surged to a new all-time high in August, reaching over $214 million.

Ohio: A legislator has introduced a bill to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products to anyone under age 21.

🤝 DEALS

Lume grabs Gage dispensaries

Michigan’s largest cannabis company agreed to acquire the three former retail locations from parent company TerrAscend, expanding its presence across the state.

🏆 AWARDS & HONORS

Cannabis Campaign of the Year (PRNEWS Platinum Awards): ILGM’s Home Grow Tour was given the award at the ceremony celebrating the people, teams, and campaigns that define excellence in modern communications.

đź’¨ QUICK HITTERS

  • Cannabis recruiting firm FlowerHire released the first-ever white paper focused on the evolving role of HR in cannabis.

  • Canada-based Organigram has unveiled happly, a U.S. hemp-derived THC product line offering vegan gummies formulated for socializing, relaxation, and sleep.

  • JP Brand Advisors and Canopy USA partnered to expand distribution of Wana’s hemp beverages and gummies across the United States.

  • Cannabis beverage brand Crescent Canna has introduced Ellora, a premium hemp-derived THC spirit.

  • A man in Bellingham, Washington faces 11 felony charges after he allegedly deceived friends and family into investing $400,000 in non-existent cannabis stores.

  • STIIIZY has debuted high-dose, hemp-derived THC seltzers and sodas, available via its website and select licensed retailers nationwide.

  • Michael Abbott, co-founder of Columbia Care, now The Cannabist Company, resigned from its Board of Directors.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
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