🌿 Medicare makes way for hemp‐derived products, Vireo secures select assets from Schwazze, and Nebraska hits historic medical cannabis milestone

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:

…and more. Let’s get to it.

Was this email forwarded to you?

Medicare moves. Federal health officials, led by Dr. Mehmet Oz, launched a pilot initiative under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that allows eligible Medicare beneficiaries in select care models to receive up to $500 worth of federally legal, hemp‑derived CBD products each year with limited THC content and physician supervision.

Several leading cannabis companies are already moving to take advantage of the CMS program. High Tide subsidiary NuLeaf Naturals, Mary’s Medicinals, and Vlasic Labs have all announced plans to participate, offering hemp-derived CBD products.

These moves mark a historic federal step into cannabinoid product coverage.

Growth gains. Vireo Growth has completed the acquisition of key cannabis assets from Schwazze, adding 45 dispensaries across Colorado and New Mexico along with a manufacturing facility in each state.

Leadership appointments tied to the transaction include Justin Dye as Chairman and Forrest Hoffmaster as CEO of Vireo’s Colorado and New Mexico business units, with the Schwazze team expected to help drive improved operational performance across the combined network.

Legislative leap. Nebraska’s Legislature has taken a major step toward implementing a medical cannabis program more than a decade after voters approved legalization, passing its first-ever medical cannabis bill by a 46‑2 vote to empower the state’s Medical Cannabis Commission with authority to set fees, raise revenue, conduct background checks, and hire staff.

While this is being celebrated, it is only the first step in advancing the long‑delayed framework needed to move toward patient access and have the program become operational.

Florida: An investigation found that nearly 1,600 fraudulent signatures were submitted during an effort to legalize cannabis, undermining the initiative’s chances of reaching the ballot.

Michigan: The state’s cannabis industry has filed a second lawsuit seeking to overturn the recently implemented 24% wholesale cannabis tax, arguing it is unconstitutional.

Minnesota: Lawmakers are considering new cannabis regulations that would allow businesses to combine medical, recreational, and hemp operations to boost supply and potentially lower prices, but the changes are drawing mixed reactions due to concerns about shifting rules and increased competition.

New York: Since the start of adult-use sales, the state’s cannabis market has reached $3.3 billion in retail sales and grown to over 600 licensed dispensaries.

Cresco Labs collects conditional license in Lone Star State

The mega multi-state operator has been awarded a vertically integrated medical cannabis license in Texas under the state’s Compassionate Use Program, enabling the company to cultivate, processm and dispense medical cannabis.

BLAZE introduces online budtender tool

The cannabis retail technology company unveiled “Herbie,” an AI-powered virtual budtender that uses conversational intelligence and real-time data to deliver highly personalized cannabis product recommendations and streamline online shopping experiences.

Looking to get your business or brand in front of cannabis enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and executives?

Email us here to learn more!

Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

*Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here.