🌿 Pennsylvania Governor proposes adult-use legalization, Willie Nelson’s THC beverage brand raises Series A, and cannabis ballot measures meet mixed results

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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Cannabis in the Commonwealth. In his 2026–27 budget, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro proposed legalizing and taxing recreational cannabis as part of his plan to generate new revenue for the state’s $53.2 billion spending plan. He estimated that doing so would generate more than $200 million in tax revenue per year.

See his brief comments on the topic as part of his budget address below:

Shapiro pointed out that residents of the Commonwealth can already access legal cannabis by purchasing it in neighboring states where it is legalized. His plan would make adult-use cannabis legal as soon as July 1, 2026, with regulated sales beginning January 1, 2027.

From country to cannabis. Willie Nelson’s cannabis beverage brand, Willie’s Remedy+, is set to expand nationally and accelerate product innovation after closing a $15 million Series A round led by Left Lane Capital with participation from Second Sight Ventures.

Since its launch less than a year ago, the hemp‑derived THC drink has sold over 400,000 bottles and become an $80 million run rate business.

With the funding, Willie’s Remedy+ is planning a 10-SKU portfolio rollout through major retail partners including Total Wine, Lowe’s, Binny’s, and TXB.

Cannabis campaigns go nationwide. As the November 2026 ballot approaches, cannabis policy initiatives are taking shape across several states, with campaigns seeing mixed progress.

In Florida, a push to legalize recreational cannabis faces a dispute over whether it met the signature threshold.

A medical cannabis effort in Idaho has collected tens of thousands of signatures toward the required total to put the measure before voters.

Maine saw a petition to restrict recreational cannabis sales and increase oversight of the medical cannabis industry miss its submission deadline.

Meanwhile, in Ohio, activists have received approval to begin collecting signatures for a referendum aimed at repealing parts of a new law that adds criminal penalties to cannabis use and bans intoxicating hemp products.

Nebraska: The chair of the Medical Cannabis Commission, Dr. Monica Oldenburg, resigned from her position amid ongoing challenges implementing the state’s medical cannabis program.

Rhode Island: Regulators are reviewing proposed rules to more tightly regulate hemp-derived THC products.

Wisconsin: Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill to legalize and regulate both recreational and medical cannabis, but it’s expected to fail in the Republican‑controlled legislature that has repeatedly blocked similar efforts.

Glass House Brands brings experience to board

The vertically integrated cannabis company appointed Alison Payne, the Chief Marketing Officer of Heineken USA, to its board of directors.

The Cannabist Company vacates Virginia

The multi-state operator completed the sale of its Virginia cannabis business including five operating dispensaries, a store in development, and cultivation/production facilities for approximately $130 million.

Green Check verified volume vaults

The cannabis fintech reported more than $1.7 billion in average monthly verified deposits through its platform.

Jane Technologies marks major milestone

The cannabis eCommerce platform’s brand-funded rewards program Jane Gold has distributed over $1 million in cash back to cannabis shoppers nationwide.

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Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

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