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🌿 High Times returns under new ownership, letter urges Trump to halt federal cannabis arrests, and Alpine IQ acquires Terpli

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: High Times returns under new ownership, letter urges Trump to halt federal cannabis arrests, Alpine IQ acquires Terpli, and more. Let’s get to it.

Author

Alex Lipnik
June 20, 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:

  • High Times returns under new ownership

  • Letter urges Trump to halt federal cannabis arrests

  • Alpine IQ acquires Terpli

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL
Business

Source: Seth McConnell / The Denver Post

A sign of the (High) Times. Renowned cannabis publication High Times is set to return under new ownership following a $3.5 million acquisition of its brand and related assets by Josh Kesselman, the founder of iconic rolling paper company RAW, in partnership with 2000s-era High Times co-owner Matt Stang.

“This is a ‘pinch yourself’ kind of moment for me, just unbelievable. Eighteen-year-old stoner Josh would be in complete disbelief that I get to bring back a piece of history that has played such an important part in culture and impacted so many lives, including my own. This feels like a dream.”

Josh Kesselman, new High Times owner

The relaunch will encompass limited-run, collectible editions of the print magazine, the Cannabis Cup event series (starting in 2026), and a digital platform for podcasts with experts and community voices.

High Times was founded in 1974 and has featured the likes of Willie Nelson, Hunter S. Thompson, and Bob Marley. It had fallen on hard times of late and initially entered receivership in the first half of last year.

Policy

Source: Pablo Delcan / Vox

Urge on. A letter from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) to President Donald Trump urged him to halt federal cannabis arrests in an effort to save billions in government spending on enforcement.

“The government spends billions of dollars each year on unnecessary federal enforcement actions and detention, like costly marijuana arrests despite the fact that almost half of states have legalized recreational marijuana, imprisoning elderly and terminally ill patients who pose little risk to public safety, and incarcerating people for minor technical violations of probation and parole. By ending these practices, the government could save billions of dollars.”

Excerpt from the letter

The letter echoes a similar one sent in January to Elon Musk, who was then heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Tech

Source: AIQ

Tech tag team. Alpine IQ has acquired Terpli to integrate their cutting-edge virtual budtender and AI-powered recommendation engine into its existing loyalty, e-commerce, and mobile app ecosystem. This will enhance personalized shopping, reward programs, and customer insights.

“Acquiring Terpli aligns perfectly with our vision to enhance and expand the digital shopping experience for cannabis consumers. Terpli's innovative AI sales agent technology will integrate seamlessly with our platform, offering predictive analytics and personalized shopping journeys to our clientele.”

Nicholas Paschal, CEO of Alpine IQ

The move could be a big boon for cannabis retailers as a recent case study showed a 119% increase in customer lifetime value for customers engaging with Terpli’s AI.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

California: The Department of Public Health, under Governor Gavin Newsom, has proposed making a permanent statewide ban on hemp-derived THC products.

Delaware: Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would restrict the sale of THC-infused beverage to liquor stores, or microbreweries that produce their own products.

North Carolina: The Senate has proposed a comprehensive new measure to regulate hemp and related products, including banning all synthetic hemp-derived cannabinoids.

Oregon: Legislators unanimously passed a bill targeting landowners allowing illegal cannabis grows on their property.

💼 BUSINESS

Frontier Risk debuts first on-premise insurance program for THC beverages

The specialty insurance company focused on the cannabis industry launched the new coverage for venues and live events offering hemp-derived cannabis drinks, such as bars, restaurants, stadiums, and festivals.

🌏 AROUND THE WORLD

Germany: The Federal Chamber of Pharmacists cautioned against buying medical cannabis via online platforms.

💨 QUICK HITTERS
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Businesses jump on cannabis drink craze as lawmakers try to crack down (The Washington Post)

  • Why Las Vegas Casinos Won’t Gamble On Cannabis (Forbes)

  • Why cannabis industry must adopt standardized THC-potency labeling (MJBizDaily)

  • Deep divide: The cannabis industry remains split over how many dispensaries a single business should own (CommonWealth Beacon)

  • These THC-infused drinks face little oversight in the US. Maine is scrambling to regulate sales. (Portland Press Herald)

📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
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