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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:
Edibles.com expands into retail
Army officer disputes cannabis discipline
IRS clarifies tips remain taxable
…and more. Let’s get to it.
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🚨 ROLL CALL
Business
Source: Edibles.com
Retail rollout. Edibles.com, the hemp-derived THC marketplace backed by Edible Brands, has opened its first flagship retail store in Atlanta’s Inman Park, marking its transition from e-commerce into brick-and-mortar and positioning the location as a prototype for a scalable national retail model.
"Our commitment to education comes to life in this store. Consumers are already seeking out these products, and it's critical to show what this category looks like in a regulated, responsible environment. This store allows us to engage directly, helping people understand how these products may fit into their lives, whether that's managing stress, replacing alcohol, or improving sleep. These are conversations best had face-to-face."
The store emphasizes a regulated, education-first approach to hemp THC, with a concierge-style format where trained staff guide consumers through a curated assortment of products from leading brands and local partners.
News
Source: New York Times
Policy pushback. A U.S. Army Reserve officer is pushing back against disciplinary action tied to his ownership of a state-legal cannabis dispensary, in a case that highlights the ongoing friction between federal policy and the growing cannabis industry. Major William Norgard was taken into custody last year and received a formal reprimand in February from the Army, which maintains strict prohibitions on service members’ involvement with cannabis businesses due to the continued status as an illegal substance under federal law.
“I love my service in the United States Army. Being a service member to this country is the single most important thing to me. People might say: ‘Well, hey, if you knew that, then why did you do that?’ Because both things can happen at the same time. One does not actually affect the other. Being involved in some sort of commercial enterprise in my state — that maybe some still find morally reprehensible — is still legal in my state, and I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Norgard is challenging the reprimand, arguing that his dispensary operates fully within state regulations and is separate from his military responsibilities. His legal team is pursuing administrative appeals and has indicated the dispute could escalate to federal court if necessary.
It was recently revealed that the Army is expanding enlistment eligibility to allow applicants with a single conviction for cannabis possession or drug paraphernalia to join without requiring a waiver or facing additional waiting periods. The policy is set to take effect next week on April 20, coincidentally (or not) aligning with the well-known holiday celebrated in cannabis culture.
Policy
Source: Ganjapreneur
Tips taxation. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has clarified in new guidance that cannabis dispensary employees are not currently eligible for the federal “no tax on tips” deduction because cannabis remains illegal under federal law, meaning tips in state-legal cannabis businesses are still fully taxable under existing rules.
“Workers in the cannabis industry must meet statutory and regulatory requirements like any other employee to be eligible for the deduction for qualified tips. Tips received by these workers must be received in an occupation that is included on the List of Occupations that Receive Tips and must not be received for a service the performance of which is a felony or misdemeanor under applicable law, including under Federal law, to be qualified tips eligible for the deduction under section 224. Currently, Federal law and many State laws generally make it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess marijuana.”
It was, however, also noted that such tips could become qualified if or when federal law changes with regards to cannabis.
🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
Idaho: Advocates have gathered over 100,000 signatures for an initiative to legalize medical cannabis and are racing to meet verification requirements before an April 30 deadline to qualify for the November ballot.
Maine: The House rejected a bill to require testing for contaminants and potency in medical cannabis, sending the proposal back to the Senate where supporters hope it will still advance.
North Carolina: Governor Josh Stein called for moving toward a regulated, legal adult-use cannabis system following an advisory council report recommending legalization to replace the current unregulated THC market.
Ohio: A judge blocked enforcement of the state’s hemp ban, ruling the law discriminates against hemp businesses by favoring licensed cannabis retailers and potentially setting a precedent to challenge similar statewide restrictions.
Pennsylvania: A new poll shows that residents across party lines overwhelmingly support creating a regulated and taxed adult-use cannabis market, with strong backing for safety standards and tighter control of unregulated THC products.
Rhode Island: The Cannabis Control Commission is appealing a federal court ruling that halted its retail cannabis license rollout over a residency requirement.
Virginia: Governor Abigail Spanberger is proposing to delay the start of recreational cannabis sales in the state, pushing back the rollout timeline six months from January 1, 2027.
💼 BUSINESS
STIIIZY expands footprint
The cannabis brand and multi-state operator announced it has expanded its U.S. retail presence to 65 stores across California and Michigan ahead of the 4/20 sales period.
💨 QUICK HITTERS
Pre-rolls have overtaken cannabis flower in the U.S. as the top-selling product category.
Mfused introduced ION, a redesigned vape cartridge built with ceramic heating, precision airflow, and upgraded materials.
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
The Hemp Industry Didn’t Get Killed By Regulators, It Killed Itself (Op-Ed) (Marijuana Moment)
North Carolina should choose order, not surrender, on cannabis | Opinion (Charlotte Observer)
Cannabis dispensary owners' hopes of opening in RI are going up in smoke (Providence Journal)
Dispensaries Get Creative to Keep Customers Coming Back (Seven Days)
📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
🔎 JOB BOARD
Dutchie
$124,000—$166,000
Ascend Wellness Holdings
$130,000—$150,000
Weedmaps
$78,363—$115,750
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💚,
The Pre Roll Team
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