Canadian cannabis sales slump 📉

President Trump continues to appoint cannabis-reform foes to important positions. 

On Tuesday, he tapped Mike Stuart as the lead attorney for the Department of Health and Human Services, an agency crucial to federal cannabis policy change.

Stuart, however, is an opponent of cannabis: “Today’s marijuana is not naturally grown plant but genetically engineered hard drug. That’s just a fact,” he said in 2018, as highlighted by Marijuana Moment. 

Stuart’s boss, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has in the past supported full federal legalization, though walked back that stance after he was confirmed by the Senate. It remains to be seen whether Stuart will fall in line with RFK Jr.’s wishes, or will be a stick in the mud for federal reform efforts. 

Read more in our February 14 newsletter on how the personnel in Trump’s Administration are shaping up to disappoint cannabis reform advocates and the industry.

New Poll finds 67% support for legalization in Florida 🦩

Florida cannabis advocates are trying to pass legalization again, after Amendment 3 failed to garner 60% support in November. A new poll may put some wind in their sales: Sixty-seven percent of likely voters support legalization, with only 32% opposed, according to the University of North Florida. Constitutional amendments need to clear 60% to pass in Florida. At the same time, lawmakers are pushing to allow Sunshine State medical patients to grow cannabis at home. 

Minnesota set to open dispensaries this year 🌿

Minnesota started accepting cannabis licenses on Tuesday, and Gov. Tim Walz says the state is still on track to get dispensaries open before the end of the year despite recent setbacks, Axios reports. Officials expect to award licenses by June. 

Maine’s Office of Cannabis policy under fire 👀

Maine’s Government Oversight Committee is set to investigate the state’s Office of Cannabis Policy, over a failure to deliver a yearly report on the state’s industry. Read more. 

Massachusetts cannabis testing lab lawsuit 🧑‍⚖️

A Massachusetts cannabis testing laboratory is suing eight rival testing labs claiming they are inflating THC levels and ignoring “safety fails” in contamination tests. The lawsuit was filed last month by MCR Labs and names a number of competing labs, including Green Analytics (formerly Steep Hill) and Safetiva Labs, Ganjapreneur reports. Read more from MCR Labs’ Yasha Kahn on the issues related to lab testing and consumer safety from our October 2 newsletter. 

North Dakota lawmakers seek to reduce cannabis penalties 🥊

After a ballot initiative that would legalize cannabis in North Dakota failed to pass, lawmakers introduced a measure that would reduce penalties for cannabis possession. Those caught with less than half-an-ounce would get non-criminal citations. The bill comes as part of an effort to reduce a backlog for state attorneys.

LEEF Brands enters New York, becomes an MSO 🗽

LEEF Brands, a California extraction company, is entering New York’s growing cannabis market by acquiring a 7,000 square foot facility and ready-to-go extraction equipment. The company says concentrates comprise 55% of New York’s projected $1.5 billion cannabis market. Hear more from the company’s leadership about the deal and taking the step to becoming a multistate operator (MSO). 

Greenlane Holdings raises $25 million via private placement 🤝

Greenlane Holdings, a cannabis accessories company, is raising $25 million by selling stock and warrants at $1.19 per unit, with the deal expected to close around February 19, 2025. The company plans to use the money to pay off debt and support its business operations. The company’s stock is down nearly 100% since inception.

Jushi Holdings secures funding 🥊

Cannabis firm Jushi Holdings received $5.1 million by selling claims for employee tax refunds and raised another $4.6 million by selling debt. The company also got $1.3 million from the IRS and plans to raise more funds to support its growth.

Cannabis Marketing Association shutters 👀

The Cannabis Marketing Association is closing down, founder and CEO Lisa Buffo said on LinkedIn. “Community has been the heartbeat of CMA, and it will live on even though the business will not,” she said. 

Renee Cotsis, a longtime cannabis industry public relations pro and managing director of Oak PR, said on LinkedIn she plans to step down from her role on Friday. She’s looking for in-house PR roles or other creative roles inside and outside of the cannabis industry. 

New York’s Office of Cannabis Management is hiring for a number of open roles, including a six-figure Chief of Staff, Program Analyst, and Administrative Assistant. See all the open roles here. 

Cannabis beverage company Uncle Arnie’s is hiring sales reps, CEO Theo Terris said on LinkedIn. 

Yesterday, we brought you the news that ex-Navy Seal Robert O’Neill, perhaps most famous for being part of the team that killed Osama Bin Laden, started his own cannabis brand. We thought you might find his latest Tweet (Xeet?) interesting. It’s certainly, uh, out there for a cannabis brand. 

The Canadian cannabis market decreased from 2023 to 2024, according to a new report from Custom Cones USA using Headset data. The Canadian consumer cannabis market saw a 3.27% decline in total revenue for 2024, driven by drops in flower and edible sales. 

However, pre-rolls remain a bright spot — with sales growing. And of note, millennials continue to dominate cannabis purchases in Canada, accounting for 45% of sales. Read the full report. 

Marijuana industry advocates pivot to protecting gains made in recent decades | Green Market Report

Despite finding unlikely allies, cannabis industry still struggling with debanking | MJBizDaily