Good morning and welcome back.
We hope you had a restful long weekend.
There is still loads going on in the cannabis space, and we hope to bring you details this week in our newsletter and on our LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
Later this morning we’ll check in with cannabis attorney and consultant Gary Kaminsky who has been in the rescheduling hearing room about what he’s seen, heard, and witnessed. 10AM Eastern on LinkedIn >> and YouTube >>
And tomorrow, we’ll be sitting down with Brett Puffenbarger from Old Dominion Cannabis about all things Virginia, as the Commonwealth gears up for adult-use cannabis in 2027. 10AM Eastern on Wednesday LinkedIn >> and YouTube >>
Let’s get to it.
-JR
Today’s newsletter is 649 words or about a 5-minute read.
THIS NEWSLETTER MADE POSSIBLE BY:
🗨️ Quotable
"Our intention has always been to establish a tightly regulated, but accessible market that balances public health, safety, and business opportunity…That became seemingly impossible when our counties imposed zoning restrictions so severe that they undermined the Delaware Marijuana Control Act’s intent, and effectively banned legal cannabis operations completely."
That’s what Delaware House of Representatives Ed Osienski said following the successful vote to overturn the Governor’s veto of a cannabis reform measure meant to ease cannabis business operations throughout the state.
⏩ Quick hits
Illinois Governor signs bill at Chicago dispensary ✒️
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker held a celebratory signing ceremony Thursday at Chicago's SWAY dispensary for a bill which addressed some of the industry’s most pressing concerns. The bill, SB 3222 doubles possession limits to 2 ounces, recriminalizes mores hemp-derived THC products, expands craft grower canopy limits, and allows dispensary drive-thrus, curbside pickup, and 2 a.m. closing times. (Note: SWAY’s co-founder Edie Moore spoke about the bill at our Midwest Cannabis Forum in May.)
Rescheduling faces another court challenge ⚖️
The DOJ is telling a federal appeals court to toss a request from rescheduling opponents to pause the Trump administration's Schedule III move, and it didn't mince words: the drug testing association and pharma company behind the motion have "pocketbook interests served by keeping all marijuana in schedule I." More from Marijuana Moment >>
📊 Insights
LIT ALERTS
Who's actually winning New York's shelf wars?
See the full ranking on Lit Alerts »
New data from Lit Alerts' June New York Brand Power Rankings shows the Empire State's adult-use market just got a lot less comfortable.
In May, 13 of the top 25 brands didn't move an inch.
In June? Only six held their ground.
Ayrloom and Florist Farms still own the top two spots, but Off Hours crashed the podium at #3, bumping longtime heavyweight Jaunty to #4.
The bigger story: MSOs are striking back.
Curaleaf's Find jumped seven spots to #14, Stiiizy climbed six to #19, and Jetty surged 11 spots in the month's biggest recovery.
Meanwhile, culture still sells — newcomer Bodega Boyz debuted at a stunning #39, proof that authentic New York branding can outrun corporate muscle out of the gate.
The takeaway: legacy status buys you nothing anymore.
🧳 People moves
Our partners at Vangst are hiring in New York. Ryan Rosenfeld, Vangst’s Chief Business Officer, posted on LinkedIn that he’s hiring an Account Executive to “own” New York. Check out Ryan’s post and the job description, if you’re interested.
Cannabis attorney Ali Jubelirer announced on LinkedIn that she’s leaving her current firm to launch here own: AJ Legal. (Note: Jubelirer spoke recently at our Midwest Cannabis Forum in May.)
🤝 Deals, launches, partnerships
Ontario cracking down on landlords who rent to unlicensed dispensaries 🇨🇦
In an effort to curb unlicensed cannabis dispensaries, the Provincial Government in Ontario has enacted new rules targeting landlords. According to the Retail Cannabis Council of Ontario – a trade association — landlords could face penalties ranging from $10,000 for individuals to $1 million for corporations. More from the RCCO >>