🌿 Virginia aims for adult-use market, researchers propose standard THC units, and alcohol alliance pushes for pause on hemp ban

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.

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New horizons. Virginia lawmakers have introduced a bill to create a regulated adult‑use cannabis retail market with an earliest launch date of November 1, 2026. It empowers the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to oversee licensing and enforcement, and marks a clear target for when licensed stores could finally begin selling adult‑use cannabis in the Commonwealth if the bill passes both chambers of the General Assembly and is signed into law.

This comes on the heels of newly elected governor Abigail Spanberger taking office. She consistently took a clear stance on legalizing adult‑use cannabis in Virginia throughout her time as a Congresswoman and on the campaign trail. She also 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.”

To the limit. Researchers at the University of Bath in the UK have taken a key step toward establishing a standardized measure for cannabis consumption by proposing standard THC units similar to alcohol’s standard drinks. The units would based on THC content to give consumers and clinicians a clearer way to track use and assess risk.

The early findings suggest that adults should not exceed a threshold of 8 THC units per week to reduce the risk of developing cannabis use disorder.

Industry alliance. Amid a looming federal ban on most hemp‑derived THC products, major alcohol retailers including Total Wine & More and BevMo! by Gopuff have banded together to urge Congress to delay the ban’s implementation and instead craft a regulatory framework that treats low‑dose hemp THC beverages like alcohol.

The newly formed Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition (BAMCO) argues that thoughtful regulation for producers, distributors, and merchants will better protect consumers and support industry stability.

The group lists the following among its top regulatory priorities: age restrictions, dosing limits, mandatory testing, product labeling, marketing and packaging rules, a licensed three‑tier distribution system, and taxation to fund enforcement.

Indiana: The Republican‑controlled House rejected a proposal to allow farmers to cultivate cannabis seed.

Michigan: The legal cannabis market saw its first yearly sales drop in 2025, with revenue falling about $100 million.

Montana: Adult‑use cannabis sales topped $1 billion in the four years since legalization.

Texas: Regulators finalized hemp rules that ban sales to anyone under 21 and require ID checks.

Gotham Goods relaunches with signature scents

The in-house luxury home and body brand from New York–based retailer Gotham has been reintroduced with upgraded packaging, two new signature scents, and expanded ritual‑driven products like hand‑dipped incense and reed diffusers.

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Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

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