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🌿 Shopify cannabis policy controversy, Virginia elects pro-cannabis governor, and American support for cannabis declines

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: Shopify cannabis policy controversy, Virginia elects pro-cannabis governor, American support for cannabis declines, and more. Let’s get to it.

Author

Alex Lipnik
November 07, 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:

  • Shopify cannabis policy controversy

  • Virginia elects pro-cannabis governor

  • American support for cannabis declines

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL
Business

Source: Airbnb

Platform privilege. Retailers selling cannabis accessories online through Shopify are raising concerns that actor Seth Rogen’s lifestyle brand Houseplant is receiving preferential treatment and access to payment processing on the platform, while similar independent sellers are being blocked from using the same service.

Despite Shopify’s published policy prohibiting the use of Shopify Payments for most cannabis-related products, Houseplant’s use of the service has raised allegations of a double standard.

The dispute highlights growing tensions in the e-commerce cannabis-accessory market over equitable access to payment infrastructure and consistency in platform enforcement.

News

Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images

Virginia victory. Abigail Spanberger has been elected as the governor of Virginia, marking the first time a woman will hold that office in the state. She has taken a clear stance on legalizing adult‑use cannabis in Virginia throughout her time as a Congresswoman and on the campaign trail.

"As the next Governor of Virginia, I look forward to working with our General Assembly to find a path forward to creating a legalized retail market for cannabis that both prioritizes public safety and grows Virginia's economy," said. "The Commonwealth needs a clear strategy to set up a market that is safe, transparent, and good for Virginia — particularly, revenue from commercial cannabis products must be reinvested into our communities and used for purposes like strengthening our public schools."

Abigail Spanberger statement during her campaign

Spanberger maintains an ‘A’ rating from NORML, a cannabis nonprofit public-interest advocacy group, indicating she has shown “support for ending marijuana prohibition of marijuana for adults and/or has cosponsored legislation to do so.”

Policy

Source: Gallup

Sinking support. Support for legal cannabis in the United States remains strong, but has dipped slightly from recent highs, according to new Gallup findings. Currently, 64% of adults favor legalization, marking the lowest level since 2019 and a decrease from the 68-70% range seen between 2020 and 2024.

The drop is largely driven by Republicans, whose support has fallen 13 points in the past year, marking their lowest backing for legalization in a decade.

In contrast, Democrats (85%) and independents (66%) continue to show consistent, broad support.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

California: Nicole Elliott announced that she will step down as Director of the Department of Cannabis Control at the end of the year.

Florida: A campaign to legalize recreational cannabis has sued the DeSantis administration, accusing elections officials of improperly delaying verification of petition signatures needed to get the amendment on the 2026 ballot.

Idaho: Advocates have received approval to begin collecting signatures for a ballot initiative to legalize medical cannabis, aiming for the November 2026 election.

💨 QUICK HITTERS

  • A study of over 60,000 adults in Oregon found that people living closer to licensed cannabis retail stores were more likely to use cannabis frequently, but less likely to engage in heavy alcohol consumption.

  • The Omaha Tribe accused Nebraska’s attorney general of retaliating against its medical cannabis initiative by abruptly halting tobacco tax negotiations tied to the tribe.

  • Boxing legend Mike Tyson urged lawmakers in Pennsylvania to legalize recreational cannabis.

  • Mfused launched a new cannabis-infused lemonade beverage called Super Fog Burzt.

  • South Lake Tahoe reduced its cannabis business tax rate from 6% to 3%.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

  • 'Trump effect' raises hopes for cannabis rally as investors bet on federal reforms, softer marijuana stance (CNBC)

  • How San Diego plans to crack down on illegal cannabis — and salvage its budget (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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