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🌿 Target tests THC beverages, FBI cannabis crime data, and Tilray takes on Panama

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: Target tests THC beverages, FBI cannabis crime data, Tilray takes on Panama, and more. Let’s get to it.

Author

Alex Lipnik
October 17, 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.

A quick note from our founder: After nearly three years of bringing you The Pre Roll, we’re ready to pass the torch. If you’re interested in acquiring the newsletter, please reply to this email with a bit about yourself and why you’d be a great fit, and we’ll be in touch to discuss next steps.

Here’s what we’re rolling up this week:

  • Target tests THC beverages

  • FBI cannabis crime data

  • Tilray takes on Panama

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL
Business

Source: George Walker IV / Associated Press

Testing THC. Minneapolis-based mega retail corporation Target is testing hemp-derived THC beverages in a limited pilot across 11 stores in Minnesota. There are 11 brands included in the initial trial, including local brand Trail Magic and category pioneer Cann.

“At Target, we’re always exploring new ways to meet our guests’ evolving preferences and needs. As part of that effort, we're testing a limited selection of THC beverages in a small number of Minnesota stores to better understand guest interest in this emerging category.”

Target spokesperson

Even those that weren’t selected believe this is a big milestone for the industry.

The move marks a major entry by a mass retailer into the cannabis beverage market as federal and state regulation is under intense debate.

Policy

Source: NORML

Cannabis criminalization. Law enforcement at the state and local level made close to 190,000 arrests for cannabis possession in 2024. This figure represents more than 20 percent of all drug arrests nationwide according to data compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“While the total number of marijuana-related arrests have fallen nationwide in recent years, it is clear that marijuana-related prosecutions still remain a primary driver of drug war enforcement in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to be arrested annually for low-level cannabis-related violations even though a majority of voters no longer believe that the responsible use of marijuana by adults should be a crime. This is a terribly destructive policy that disrupts lives and has lasting consequences. Low-level marijuana offenders, many of them younger, poor, and people of color, should not be saddled with an arrest, a criminal record, and with the lifelong penalties and stigma associated with it for engaging in behavior that is now legally regulated for adults in nearly half the states in this country.”

NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano

With other offenses added in, cannabis-related violations totaled more than 200,000 last year.

Business

Source: Tilray

Global growth. Tilray Brands is expanding its medical cannabis operations into Panama through a joint venture a joint venture. The partnership has secured a license authorizing them to cultivate, manufacture, import, export, distribute and sell of medical cannabis.

Tilray now supplies medical cannabis products to patients in more than 20 countries across five continents in addition to holding a top position in the recreational market in Canada.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

California: Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to authorize a limited number of cannabis microbusinesses to ship medical cannabis products directly to patients, citing complexities to manage the program.

Michigan: Members of the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee is heard testimony on multiple bills aimed at easing burdens on the cannabis industry in response to backlash over a proposed 24 % wholesale cannabis tax.

Missouri: Regulators have released a draft rule to allow curbside pickup at cannabis dispensaries, letting customers pay online and pick up from their vehicle.

Ohio: A judge issued a restraining order blocking Governor Mike DeWine’s executive order banning intoxicating hemp products.

💼 BUSINESS

FundCanna rolls out ReadyPaid Trusted Partner Network

The leading cannabis lender launched a public directory listing cannabis sellers using its new B2B buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) financing tool.

💨 QUICK HITTERS

  • The NYC Mayoral candidates were asked if they have ever purchased anything in a cannabis dispensary.

  • A jury in Portland found a cannabis dispensary employee not guilty of killing two men during an attempted robbery, accepting his argument that the shooting was justified self-defense.

  • Massachusetts cannabis company Good Feels has released a limited-edition glow-in-the-dark THC syrup for Halloween.

  • The Kansas Bureau of Investigation seized hundreds of pounds of cannabis and tens of thousands of pre-rolled joints, THC vapes, and edibles in raids across 18 retail stores.

  • AYR Wellness launched its first indoor cultivation facility in Florida to supply flower across its state dispensaries.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Marijuana Policy Project Executive Director Pens Open Letter to the Cannabis Industry (MPP)

  • MAGA and Marijuana Might Become Best Buds (The Free Press)

  • Insight: Mexico, plagued by cartel wars, on cusp of legal cannabis 'green rush' (Reuters)

  • Will Canada lead or lag as the international market opens up for medical cannabis? (The Globe and Mail)

  • Meet the ‘cannabis nuns’ of California who are praying for survival (The Times)

  • Cannabis drinks are having a moment even as Americans consume less alcohol (CBS News)

  • Seth Rogen Confesses His First Award Wasn’t An Emmy, It Was ‘Stoner of the Year’ (High Times)

  • Nebraskans rip proposed regulations on medical cannabis at public hearing (Nebraska Examiner)

🔎 JOB BOARD

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