🌿 Trump touts hemp-derived CBD benefits, High Times marks 50th anniversary, and Flowhub debuts marketing suite

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:

• Trump touts hemp-derived CBD benefits

• High Times marks 50th anniversary

• Flowhub debuts marketing suite

…and more. Let’s get to it.

Was this email forwarded to you?

🚨 ROLL CALL

Policy

Trump touts. President Donald Trump posted a video this week promoting the health benefits of hemp-derived CBD for seniors and suggesting it should be covered by Medicare. The video called it a “gamechanger” and “the most important senior health initiative of the century.”

The move sent cannabis and CBD-related stocks soaring. Despite the strong market sentiment, researchers are urging caution.

Nonetheless, it has many speculating what this could mean for the ongoing rescheduling conversation. Trump claimed in August his administration is considering reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III in a move that would ease research, lower business taxes, and improve industry access to banking.

Tech

High 50. Renowned cannabis magazine High Times marked its 50th anniversary by appointing a new Editor‑in‑Chief, releasing a limited-edition collectible edition of the magazine, and reviving the Cannabis Cup competition.

After previously being announced as the Acting Editor-in-Chief, veteran cannabis reporter Javier Hasse has officially been named to the role permanently. Hasse is a contributor to Forbes and co-founded the Spanish-language cannabis media outlet El Planteo. He formerly led Benzinga Cannabis and wrote for publications such as Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Playboy.

The Cannabis Cup is set to make its comeback this fall. High Times recently returned under new ownership.

Business

Suite setup. Cannabis point-of-sale platform Flowhub rolled out a new marketing suite that integrates with its POS to help cannabis dispensaries launch loyalty, email, and push‑notification campaigns to increase customer retention and revenue.

The new features are powered by real-time, first-party POS data.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Massachusetts: Shannon O’Brien has been reinstated as chair of the Cannabis Control Commission; the long‑awaited social consumption rules have been delayed to ensure leadership transition and full regulatory review.

Michigan: Lawmakers passed a bill to impose a 24% wholesale cannabis tax expected to raise $420 million annually to fund road repairs.

Nebraska: The Medical Cannabis Commission will miss its deadline to begin issuing licenses by at least a week, due largely to recent resignations of key commission members.

New Jersey: The Economic Development Authority approved a $15 million pilot loan program called NJ LEAF to provide low‑cost financing to licensed cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, and testing labs.

Wisconsin: Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to legalize medical cannabis despite previous failed attempts.

💼 BUSINESS

Mamedica gets capital from Casa Verde

The UK medical cannabis clinic closed a £4.5 million funding round led by the US venture firm co-founded by Snoop Dogg to scale its digital healthcare platform and expand access to prescription cannabis in the UK market.

💻 TECH

Green Check introduces education hub

The cannabis fintech launched The Forum, a platform that connects vetted cannabis and other high‑risk businesses with service providers through education and intelligent matchmaking.

Simplifya secures funding

The regulatory compliance platform raised $2 million in equity capital to help eliminate its debt and expand its software offerings to better serve the evolving cannabis and hemp industries.

💨 QUICK HITTERS

• California Governor Gavin Newsom joked that he’d legalize cannabis and get Americans “high on patriotism” in a tweet apparently poking fun at President Donald Trump and the government shutdown.

• Cannabuzz became the first hemp-derived beverage brand to secure associate membership in the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, marking a milestone in legitimizing the cannabis drinks sector.

• Curaleaf has added to its Anthem cannabis brand by launching Anthem Bold, a line of infused pre‑rolls made with American‑grown cannabis.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

• Tokelahoma’s Cautionary Tale: How Weed Legalization Went Wrong in a Deep Red State (POLITICO)

• A weed tax to pay for roads? Michigan marijuana industry says it's not that simple. (Detroit Free Press)

• Opinion: Connecticut cannabis is safe. Here’s why that matters for patients. (Connecticut Mirror)

📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK

🔎 JOB BOARD

• Director, Brand PR

  • Curaleaf

  • $140,000—$180,000

• District Operations Manager

  • Connected Cannabis

  • $110,000—$130,000

• Digital Support Manager

  • TerrAscend

  • $75,000—$85,000

📨 PUFF, PUFF, PASS REEFERAL PROGRAM

📣 PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR BRAND IN THE PRE ROLL

Looking to get your business or brand in front of cannabis enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and executives?

Email us here to learn more!

Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

*Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here.