Good morning.
For any SCOTUS junkies out there, yesterday was a fascinating look into how the country’s highest court views cannabis.
Plus, our partners at Lit Alerts share this month’s New York Brand Power Rankings.
Let’s get to it.
-JB, JR, ZH
Today’s newsletter is 1,111 words or about a 9-minute read.
THIS NEWSLETTER MADE POSSIBLE BY:
💡 What’s the big deal?
SCOTUS
SCOTUS hears oral arguments in gun rights for cannabis users case
Driving the news: The Supreme Court of The United States heard oral arguments in U.S. v. Hemani which focuses on whether or not the federal government can restrict gun ownership from cannabis users.
Federal agents raided Ali Daniel Hemani’s Texas home in 2022, finding a Glock 9mm pistol, approximately 60 grams of cannabis, and 4.7 grams of cocaine. Authorities subsequently charged Hemani for violating a federal law that prohibits the possession of firearms for any "unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance."
Hemani successfully saw his case dismissed in the Eastern U.S. District of Texas, and again in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court is now determining whether to affirm the lower courts' decisions.
Some of the justices appeared skeptical about the government’s definition of “unlawful user,” which Deputy Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued was any habitual use of a Schedule I or II drug. Other justices challenged the connection of drug use and violence or potential conflicts with generally-accepted levels of intoxication compared to when the U.S. Constitution was written.
What they’re saying: "Habitual drunkard, the American Temperance Society back in the day said eight shots of whiskey a day only made you an occasional drunkard. We have to remember the founding era. If you want to invoke the founding era, to be a habitual drunkard, you had to double that, okay?" said Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch.
And also: "John Adams took a tankard of hard cider with his breakfast every day. James Madison reportedly drank a pint of whiskey every day. Thomas Jefferson said he wasn't much a user of alcohol, he only had three or four glasses of wine a night, okay?"
Strange bedfellows: This case holds a distinction.
The American Civil Liberties Union, NORML, and the National Rifle Association are all on the same page, each filing supporting testimony in favor of striking any gun rights laws based on the use of cannabis.
The case does not seem to be falling on a clear partisan split. Liberal Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ketanji Brown-Jackson appeared to take Hemani's side.
Meanwhile, Brett Kavanaugh questioned the petitioner's definition of "unlawful user," while Amy Coney Barrett noted that a drug's scheduling order had little to nothing to do with a propensity for violence.
Despite the bench’s tone, it is not always a clear indicator about how Justices will vote based on their demeanor during oral arguments. There is also no guaranteed speed for opinions to be issued, though most come out a few months after oral arguments.
-ZH
📣 Quotable
“What we are saying in the rule is if a year from now [if the rules are approved] we look at your ownership, and we see you have someone exercising a controlling influence that you know has done these things, then that is a violation,” said Amy Moore, Director of Cannabis Regulation at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service.
Moore was speaking to the Missouri Independent about the state's effort to crackdown on illegal ownership stakes in the cannabis industry.
LIT ALERTS*
New York Brand Power Rankings | March 2026
Today we're featuring the New York Brand Power Rankings for March 2026, calculated by the Lit Alerts team based on data from February 2026.
To calculate this ranking, a weighted index is used that integrates estimated unit sales and estimated dollar value to assess overall demand, while factoring in share of shelf, distribution points, and the frequency of product discounts.
The latest:
The top of the leaderboard remains largely stable: the top seven brands held their positions and the top 10 remained unchanged. The only change? Ryhtm (GTI) and Fernway swapping the 8th and 9th spots.
Four brands debuted on the list this month: 1937 (#41), Golden Garden (#47), House of Sacci (#49), and Good Green (GTI) (#50).
National brands are showing positive momentum including Grön (#13), Wyld (#14), and Jeeter (#29). Note: Grön and Wyld announced a merger earlier in the year.
MSOs GTI and Curaleaf continue to hold significant space in the rankings, however GTI's Rythm is the only MSO brand in the top 10.
*To learn more about Lit Alerts and get a special offer only available to Cultivated readers, visit litalerts.com.
⏩ Quick hits
As the federal hemp ban continues to loom, lawmakers in Kentucky are considering a bill that would allow THC beverages to be sold outside of liquor stores, at bars, restaurants, and public events.
Amid a lab testing log jam, lawmakers in Minnesota are considering a bill that would extend the period in which hemp products can be tested out of state to May 31, 2027. The state is set to require hemp producers to use labs in-state that are licensed for both hemp and cannabis testing as of March 31, 2026.
The latest Quinnipiac University Poll found that among 836 registered Pennsylvania voters, 56% support legalization while 37 oppose.
🤝 Deals, launches, partnerships
Tilray announced the £33 million (about $44 million) acquisition of BrewDog, a craft beer brand, along with several affiliated brewpubs in the United Kingdom. The move reflects Tilray's expansion into the international alcohol market. $TLRY ( ▼ 3.43% )
👨⚖️ Lawsuits
C2C LLC alleges that The Cannabist, which operates 19 dispensaries in Colorado, owes the company almost $400,000 in unpaid bills in the Rocky Mountain State, in a lawsuit filed in Denver District Court last week.
💰 Earnings roundup
Turning Points Brands, which owns the Stoker's and Zig-Zag paraphernalia brands, reported $19.9 million in income on $121 million in net sales for the fourth quarter of 2025. The report showed a slight drop in income from $21 million along with a slight increase in net sales from $118 million. $TPB ( ▼ 20.79% )
😜 One fun thing
This exchange with Justice Gorsuch is worth your time:
📅 Cannabis calendar
The New York State Cannabis Advisory Board meets today at 1pm in the Bronx.
📰 What we’re reading
How Climate Shapes Cannabis Cultivation in the Finger Lakes | FingerLakes1.com
From Whiskey to Weed: A Second Amendment Fight | RealClearPolitics