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🌿 Verano eyes corporate move, LeafLink chooses new CEO, and Democrats oppose hemp ban

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: Verano eyes corporate move, LeafLink chooses new CEO, Democrats oppose hemp ban, and more. Let’s get to it.

Author

Alex Lipnik
September 19, 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:

  • Verano eyes corporate move

  • LeafLink chooses new CEO

  • Democrats oppose hemp ban

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL
Business

Cross-border. Verano has announced a proposal to redomicile from British Columbia to Nevada, aiming to better align its corporate structure with its U.S.-based operations and streamline regulatory processes. The move is not expected to impact its existing manufacturing and retail business, including the location of its corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

“Since inception and our 2021 go-public transaction, we’ve focused on ways to unlock shareholder value and create potential catalysts for the business, including enhancements to our corporate structure and executing a capital markets strategy that positions Verano to capitalize on near and long-term growth opportunities.”

George Archos, Verano Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

The final decision is still subject to shareholder approval, and upon completion, Verano's common stock would trade on the Cboe Canada exchange under the Company’s existing ticker symbol, “VRNO” and be quoted on the OTCQX under the symbol “VRNOF”.

Tech

Change-maker. Cannabis wholesale platform LeafLink has introduced its new Chief Executive Officer in Ashwin Raj, an experienced technology executive with over two decades of experience at notable companies such as ezCater, Lyft, Amazon, and Visa.

"Joining LeafLink is more than an opportunity, it's a chance to help shape the future of a rapidly growing industry. I'm inspired by LeafLink's role as a cornerstone of cannabis commerce, and we're only beginning to unlock what's possible. Our commitment is to listen to customers, understand their needs, and deliver solutions that truly help them thrive."

Ashwin Raj, new CEO of LeafLink

At LeafLink, he aims to enhance the company's product strategy, focusing on empowering cannabis operators, brands, and retailers through a trusted marketplace, innovative technology, and integrated financial solutions.

Policy

Push-back. A group of Democratic senators, led by Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), sent a letter to Senate leadership opposing language in the FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill that would recriminalize hemp-derived THC.

“If this language were to become law, it would deal a fatal blow to the American farmers who are the foundation of the regulated hemp industry, and jeopardize tens of billions of dollars in economic activity around the country.”

Excerpt from the letter

They are instead urging for sensible regulations to protect consumers, keep products out of the hands of children, support over 320,000 hemp-related jobs, and preserve the industry.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Arkansas: Medical cannabis sales this year to date are $10 million ahead of the same period last year and look likely to beat the 2023 record of about $283 million.

California: More than $250 million in cannabis tax revenue was collected in Q2 2025; the excise tax on cannabis will be reduced from 19% to 15% starting in October.

Maryland: The sale of hemp-derived products has been banned, with lawmakers citing public health concerns and a lack of regulatory oversight.

Minnesota: The state’s first non‑tribal, off‑reservation recreational cannabis dispensaries have officially opened.

Rhode Island: Cannabis regulators are accepting applications for 24 new recreational cannabis retail licenses, with spots reserved for social equity and worker-owned businesses.

đź’Ľ BUSINESS

RYTHM debuts THC drinks nationwide

The cannabis brand is launching its first-ever line of hemp-derived THC beverages across the country, available through licensed retailers, dispensaries and direct-to-consumer delivery.

Canopy Growth confirms new CFO

The Canada-based international cannabis company has appointed Tom Stewart as its new Chief Financial Officer following a brief stint in the role in an interim capacity.

đź’¨ QUICK HITTERS

  • The Department of Justice has withdrawn several proposed rulemaking actions, including those related to medical cannabis research and hemp, as part of a broader regulatory review process.

  • Wanda James, co-founder of Simply Pure, America's first Black-owned cannabis dispensary, is running for Congress.

  • Wana Brands is introduced hemp‑derived THC gummies and beverages in Georgia, expanding its product reach to 24 states.

  • Sanctuary Garden, founded by the first justice-involved individual in New York's CAURD program, has opened on NYC’s Upper West Side.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

  • The Fight For Cannabis Reform Must Focus On Medical Patients—Not Taxes And Banking—In Order To Win (Op-Ed) (Marijuana Moment)

  • When Cannabis Brands Blur Into Youth Culture, Regulators Notice: Lessons From Tobacco’s Past (High Times)

  • Turning Over a New Leaf: How Cannabis Receiverships Can Cultivate a Stronger Future (National Law Review)

  • On The Revel's Lulu Tsui on Growing Up in a First-Gen Immigrant Family Supportive of Cannabis (Muse by Clios)

  • The marijuana rescheduling debate is missing the point, experts say (STAT)

  • Flower By Edie Makes Cannabis Into A Fashion Statement (MediaPost)

  • Why some New York communities are reversing course to allow marijuana dispensaries (Spectrum News)

📽️ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
🔎 JOB BOARD

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