🌿 Texas THC ban vetoed, Thailand takes a step back, and cannabis has high job satisfaction

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:

• Texas THC ban vetoed

• Thailand takes a step back

• Cannabis has high job satisfaction

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL

Policy

Kill shot. Texas Governor Greg Abbot vetoed a proposed ban on hemp-derived THC products and called for a special legislative session to create a regulated framework instead. The decision drew immediate backlash from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, signaling a divide on the issue amongst Republican lawmakers. This led Abbott to issue a response through a spokesperson.

The move, at least temporarily, saves the multi-billion dollar hemp industry in the Lone Star State that would have been crippled by the bill.

Policy

Step back. Thailand is set to reinstate stricter cannabis restrictions, moving to recriminalize recreational sales and require a medical prescription for purchase. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin also stated that cannabis will be reclassified as a narcotic in the future.  

Thailand originally decriminalized cannabis nationwide back in 2022, becoming the first country in Asia — and only the third in the world, after Canada and Uruguay — to do so. This brought in a wave of tourists from all over Asia where drug laws are notoriously strict.

The industry is currently estimated to be worth over $1 billion.

Business

Job satisfaction. According to an annual report by workforce management platform Deputy, which analyzed 1.5 million anonymized end-of-shift surveys, close to 92% of hourly workers in the cannabis and tobacco sectors report positive job sentiment.

These results rank the highest among all industries, and reflect strong workplace culture and employee retention efforts.

Cannabis narrowly edged out catering and cafes/coffee shops.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Maryland: Governor Wes Moore announced nearly 7,000 additional pardons for simple cannabis possession convictions, expanding his clemency efforts aimed at addressing racial inequities in drug enforcement.

Michigan: Recreational cannabis sales declined for the fourth consecutive month, while prices for consumers are the lowest they have ever been.

Nebraska: The Medical Cannabis Commission approved emergency regulations to establish a medical cannabis program, pending final approval from Governor Jim Pillen before the July 1 deadline.

💼 BUSINESS

Tilray touts major milestone in Italy

The global medical cannabis leader received Italy's first authorization from the Ministry of Health to import and distribute medical cannabis flower for therapeutic use.

💻 TECH

BLAZE begins ACH payments offering

The cannabis technology company that provides point-of-sale and operational software solutions for dispensaries unveiled BLAZEPAY ACH, aimed at helping retailers get paid faster, reduce fees, and boost sales with a seamless experience for both in-store and online shoppers.

Nabis introduces marketplace in New York

The cannabis wholesale platform launched its online marketplace in the Empire State, backed by two distribution hubs in the Bronx and Rochester, to help connect brands and retailers.

💨 QUICK HITTERS

• Weedmaps co-founders Doug Francis and Justin Hartfield have withdrawn their take-private proposal.

• The Chicago Police Department will no longer search vehicles solely based on the smell of raw cannabis after facing objections and agreeing to policy changes.

• Cann added beverage industry veteran Jeff Chassner — formerly of MillerCoors and BeatBox — as VP of Sales to lead its U.S. expansion.

• New York–based cannabis brand Ayrloom launched a new cannabis-infused rosé cider.

• Sunset Social Club has opened as West Hollywood’s first luxury, members-only cannabis lounge, offering upscale amenities for $420/month.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

• How a tiny Michigan tourist town became Weed City, USA (Crain's Detroit Business)

• The New Faces Of Weed: Meet The Cannabis Content Creators Doing What Big Brands Can’t (Forbes)

• How Old Pal built a cannabis brand rooted in community (MJBizDaily)

• Veterans deserve change. US should reschedule cannabis now. | Opinion (Des Moines Register)

🎙️ POTCASTS

• From Wharton to Weed: Tiffany Chin's Journey with Snoop and Death Row (High Spirits)

🗓 UPCOMING EVENTS

July 26 — 27: CannaBLISS in the Catskills, a two-day cannabis festival created to celebrate the growing cannabis community in Update New York, is set to be held at Maple Shade Farm in Delhi, New York and will feature immersive exhibits, cannabis lifestyle workshops, a flower competition, food, and live music.

🔎 JOB BOARD

• VP of Sales

  • BRĒZ

  • $200,000—$250,000

• Director, Government Affairs

  • Green Thumb Industries

  • $160,000—$190,000

• Product Manager

  • Alpine IQ

  • $85,000—$93,000

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Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

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