🌿 Rescheduling review a top priority for DEA nominee, U.S. Attorney warns D.C. dispensary, and Cannabis Council of Canada calls on Carney

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:

• Rescheduling review a top priority for DEA nominee

• U.S. Attorney warns D.C. dispensary

• Cannabis Council of Canada calls on Carney

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL

Policy

Under review. As he testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Terrance Cole, said reviewing the cannabis rescheduling process would be “one of my first priorities” if confirmed.

Despite the encouraging urgency, Cole would not commit to supporting the proposed rescheduling and moving cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

President Trump selected Cole — a DEA veteran and current top public safety official in Virginia — to head the agency back in February only a few short weeks after appointing Derek Maltz as interim Acting Administrator.

Former President Joe Biden originally initiated the rescheduling process in October of 2022, but it has faced delays, including the cancellation of proceedings in January of this year due to legal challenges.

Policy

Warning shot. A U.S. Attorney sent a letter to the owners and operators of a city-permitted DC-area dispensary stating they “may be subject to criminal prosecution and civil enforcement actions” from the Trump administration’s Department of Justice for operating within 1,000 feet of several area schools.

The letter was prompted by neighborhood concerns raised by parents and residents about the dispensary's location.

Policy

Urge on. The Cannabis Council of Canada, the national and international representative of Canada’s licensed producers and processors of cannabis, congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney on his election victory and emphasized the need for immediate action to strengthen the country's legal cannabis industry.

The organization called out specific and significant challenges the sector faces, including a misaligned excise taxation framework that imposes a disproportionate tax burden on licensed operators and a persistent illicit market which allows criminal actors to thrive at the expense of licensed businesses.

The largest Canadian cannabis company by market share Organigram echoed the same sentiments.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Montana: ​Legislators passed a bill enabling the state's federally recognized tribes to negotiate cannabis compacts with the governor's office.

New Mexico: ​A federal court ruled that health insurers are not required to cover medical cannabis expenses.

New York: The state's ​cannabis market has surpassed $1 billion in retail sales, with 368 licensed dispensaries and 55% of licenses awarded to social and economic equity applicants.

Rhode Island: ​Cannabis and liquor retailers are clashing over proposed legislation that would allow hemp-derived THC beverages to be sold in liquor stores.

Texas: A House committee advanced a bill that would impose stricter regulations on the state's hemp industry, but stops short of a total ban.

💼 BUSINESS

Cannabis Creative adds industry veteran

The award-winning full-service cannabis and CBD marketing agency hired Emily Tuttle to support Business Development efforts for the organization; she brings nearly a decade of industry experience to the role and a global perspective fueled by her passion for new market expansion and business growth.

💻 TECH

Würk teams up with ValeU Group

The cannabis human capital management company announced a strategic partnership with the cost reduction consulting firm to enhance financial success for cannabis businesses through solutions proven to maximize savings.

💨 QUICK HITTERS

• ​Safe Harbor appointed Jeffrey Kay as SVP of Marketing and Dominic Marella as VP of Business Development to help expand its national footprint.

• ​Tetra East Harlem opened the neighborhood's first legal cannabis dispensary.

• ​The University of Mississippi established the Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research to support nationwide cannabis research.

• Canadian cannabis retailer High Tide reported $6.8 million in total sales during the 4/20 long weekend.

• Rock and Roll Hall of Famer George Clinton launched his new cannabis line 'The FUNK' in collaboration with Khalifa Kush.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

• THC seltzers rise in popularity: What to know about the drinks (Good Morning America)

• Women Are Changing the Cannabis Industry for Good (Los Angeles Magazine)

• Why Britain’s police forces have taken to cultivating cannabis (The Economist)

• My fight to unlock cannabis and psychedelic drugs for use in medical research (Nature)

• Opinion | Despite roadblocks, Canada’s cannabis industry is booming. Will the next PM be its champion? (Toronto Star)

• Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO says cannabis business is ‘mostly off the table’ (CNBC)

• Unlikely cafe hybrid lets you grab your coffee and joint without leaving your car (SFGATE)

• Peek inside Denver’s new cannabis club, now serving marijuana and munchies (Denver Post)

🎙️ POTCASTS

• Have cannabis investors been early or wrong or both? (The Cannabis Investing Podcast)

📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK

🔎 JOB BOARD

• Senior Product Manager, ECommerce

  • Jane Technologies

  • $159,000—$195,000

• Senior Manager, Social Marketing (Remote)

  • Weedmaps

  • $127,875—$176,401

• Account Manager - Northern Illinois & Chicago

  • Grön

  • $60,000 + commission

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Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

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