New RNC Chair might be weed friendly 🤞

“We cannot have a new legal market — that is now a billion-dollar market in the state of Maryland — but also have people who cannot get barber’s licenses or cannot get a student loan because of a misdemeanor cannabis conviction from the 1990s." said Maryland Governor Wes Moore during a press stop last week. 

Moore, who joked that 'cannabis' got more votes than he did in 2022, signed an executive order in June 2024, pardoning about 175,000 individuals of state-level cannabis convictions. Marijuana Moment has more on Moore’s comments. 

New RNC chair supports legalization 🪑

The Republican National Committee elected Florida state Senator Joe Gruters as its new chair. It's still unclear how much influence Gruter, a Trump ally, would have on federal policy, but he has been a proponent of legalization and supported past efforts to allow adult-use use in the Sunshine State. Earlier this year, Gruters filed a bill that would have legalized home grow for medical patients in Florida. Marijuana Moment has more. 

Prohibitionists urge president to reject rescheduling 🚫

President Donald Trump may have surrounded himself with a few supporters of cannabis reform, but that does not mean rescheduling is a done deal. A group of almost 50 organizations signed a letter urging the president to keep cannabis at schedule 1 along with heroin, cocaine and fentanyl. Signers of the letter include the National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition, CatholicVote and the Family Research Council. 

The Massachusetts CCC is collecting public input for consumption lounge rules 🔊

The Cannabis Control Commission recently proposed new rules that would allow cannabis consumption lounges in Massachusetts. The proposal includes allowing non-infused snacks on site, a prohibition on alcohol and tobacco products, and ventilation requirements. Stakeholders have until Sept. 8 to weigh in. 

Mr Zips vapes recalled in California 😤

California regulators announced on Aug. 22 a recall for seven different vape products from Mr. Zip. The recalled products tested positive for Daminozide, a banned pesticide. The state identified 10 dispensaries across the state where the products were previously sold.

LIT ALERTS’ INSIGHTS
Category leaders in New York’s Capital Region

While Albany and the surrounding area are known for the legislative and regulatory rules New York's cannabis industry, the "Capital Region" has quietly become one of the most competitive parts of the state.

The Capital Region, with over a million residents, is the metropolitan area surrounding Albany.

The New York power brands Ayrloom, Jaunty, and Dank continue to show their dominance in another region of New York. These brands have been present in all New York regional category leader charts that Lit Alerts has provided exclusively to Cultivated readers.

Others in the top five include longtime Registered Organization ("RO") brand Rythm, anchored by its top performing store in Clifton Park, and Revert, another New York born brand that has roots in the area (Saratoga).

Upstate Canna Co, Stage One, High Peaks, and State of Mind are the retailers standing out in this competitive market suggesting once again, it pays to be open early on in the process.

The Capital Region is on pace with most of the rest of New York in category breakdown with flower being slightly preferred to vape. Vapes and Concentrates tend to run on the cheaper end with other categories on par with the rest of New York.

Have a look at Lit Alerts’ exclusive insights. 👇

To learn more about Lit Alerts and get a special offer only available to Cultivated readers, visit litalerts.com.

Google ads will allow cannabis products in Canada 🇨🇦

Google launched a pilot program on Aug. 25 allowing limited cannabis advertising for users in Canada. The program is supposed to last 20 weeks and is intended to test the waters of user interest. 

FLUENT partners with California brands for New York expansion 🗽

FLUENT commenced operations at its new 68,000 square-foot indoor cultivation site in Buffalo, New York. Along with the opening, FLUENT is also launching a partnership with Connected Cannabis, AlienLabs and Smoken Promises where the company will be the exclusive wholesale providers of those brands in New York. 

New slate of executives at Canopy USA

Canopy USA named a new executive team last week intended to steer the company and its plans to expand in the United States. The new leadership includes Chief Financial Officer Casey Rash, Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Kirk and Chief Business Development Officer Kelly Flores.

California's Small Cannabis Farmers Have Been Left High and Dry | The Nation

Gov. Shapiro, it's time to pardon all convicted marijuana users | Opinion | Penn Live