This Week in Cannabis News | June 20, 2025

Welcome to our new Friday program, This Week in Cannabis News, powered by Dutchie.

Each Friday at 10 a. m. Eastern, we'll deliver an overview of this week's cannabis news.

We will be quick, we'll be comprehensive, we'll send you into the weekend as a more informed cannabis professional, and it's all made possible by our friends at Dutchie.

Minnesota issues first cannabis license 🥊

After many delays, Minnesota officially issued its first cannabis license, to an outdoor grower in Pine County: Herb Quest LLC. Thank you Jason Tarasek from Vicente LLP for sharing the news in real time.

Congressional Research Service says federal spending bill would kill hemp 🥊

The Congressional Research Service says a new spending bill would effectively prohibit hemp-derived cannabinoid products federally. The bill cleared a subcommittee but has not passed the full Appropriations Committee. Rep. Andy Harris, a Maryland Republican, added language into the bill that he says would close the “hemp loophole” created by the 2018 Farm Bill.

Missouri may vote on simplifying hemp and cannabis regulations 🔧

Missouri advocates are planning a 2026 ballot measure that would unify state regulations around cannabis and hemp, while also giving lawmakers greater leeway in adjusting state regulations. The 2022 ballot effort that legalized cannabis in the Show Me State amended the state's Constitution making it difficult for the legislature to tweak without an additional ballot campaign. 

Texas hemp advocates collect 150,000 signatures to urge veto 👀

The Texas Hemp Business Council said it collected nearly 150,000 signatures to urge Gov. Greg Abbot to veto SB 3, which would ban intoxicating hemp THC products in the state. The group says that 47% of Republican primary voters oppose the ban, while only 37% support it. Meanwhile, a Republican pollster found that nearly 70% of Texas voters want hemp to remain legal. Gov. Abbott has a deadline of Sunday to sign the bill.

RAW founder plans to revive High Times 💨

RAW founder Josh Kesselman is the new owner of the once-famous, now defunct cannabis publication High Times. Kesselman, who announced his purchase on social media Tuesday morning, told the Wall Street Journal that he plans to relaunch High Times as a print publication and website.

Aurora Cannabis denies two fake news stories published on Investing.com 

Speaking of media… It’s journalism in 2025: Canadian firm Aurora Cannabis denied two false stories published on investing.com this week.