Curaleaf converts Florida medical dispensary into a hemp shop 🌿

HEMP
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em

It’s a sign of the times: Cannabis firm Curaleaf announced the transition of one of its Florida medical cannabis dispensaries into a legal hemp shop, now called The Hemp Company, on Tuesday. 

The West Palm Beach store will sell ‘Farm Bill’ compliant hemp-THC products, the company said. These will mostly be Curaleaf’s own brands of low-dose edibles and beverages and will also include products from partner companies including 1906 and Cann, per the release.

Back up for a second: Many hemp sellers maintain that the 2018 Farm Bill permits the sale of THC-infused products, as long as they are derived from hemp — defined as the cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC — rather than traditional cannabis. 

But the product is essentially the same for many consumers — except, perhaps, the most discerning ones — who simply want THC. Hemp-derived products technically contain THCA, which is a precursor to THC, but the effect on the consumer is one and the same. 

Florida attempted to legalize cannabis last November but the ballot measure, Amendment 3, failed to pass the 60% threshold needed to become law. Had it passed in November, Curaleaf’s store would’ve been able to convert to sell recreational cannabis. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis came out strongly against legalization last year, spending millions of government funds to do so — for which he is now under fire. He found willing partners for the fight in the state’s hemp industry, as well as among many Republican lawmakers and even tobacco giant Phillip Morris, per reports.

Compare and contrast: Curaleaf competitor Trulieve spent well over $140 million supporting legalization last year, ultimately to no avail.

And earlier this week, the company spent $20 million to push for legalization to again appear in front of Florida voters on the 2026 ballot. 

That’s in stark contrast to Curaleaf’s immediate strategy, where, instead of supporting the next legalization campaign, they’re joining the hemp party. Trulieve, for its part, launched a hemp-THC drink earlier this year along with many other big cannabis firms. 

The final word: DeSantis might not want legal cannabis in the Sunshine State. But as Curaleaf’s move shows, it’s effectively already there. 

By fighting Amendment 3, DeSantis has tacitly endorsed this version of the market. Supply will meet demand, of course. It’s also certainly possible that lawmakers decide to rein in the state’s hemp industry, as California and other states are. 

The political willpower to kill a job-creating, revenue-generating industry on behalf of the state’s free-market Republicans probably isn’t that strong, however.

Still, it’s time for Florida lawmakers to come up with coherent regulations governing all THC sales, whether hemp or traditional cannabis. 

-JB

“While the ball remains in the DEA’s court, I think that they’re going to need to get direction from the president in order for rescheduling to occur. And I’m still optimistic about the president acting on cannabis reform,” David Culver, the SVP of public affairs for the US Cannabis Roundtable, an industry trade group, told Green Market Report. 

“He was very clear in October of last year about what he would like to do in the space, and we were told very clearly at the beginning of this year that we’re going to have to wait our turn.”

Culver said it’s a matter of "when” and not "if,” for cannabis reform under Trump. This optimism comes amid reports that the DEA no longer has plans to restart the cannabis rescheduling process that was delayed earlier this year.

Arizona cannabis sales decline for second consecutive year📉

Four years after the adult-use market launched the Grand Canyon State is experiencing its second drop in total annual sales. Operators pulled in $1.3 billion in sales throughout 2024, marking the first year since adult-use sales launched that total sales fell below $1.4 billion. 

Missouri regulator revokes dozens of licenses it awarded last summer ✋

The Missouri Department of Cannabis Regulation revoked 25 of the 57 microbusiness licenses it awarded in July. All but one of the rejected businesses failed to show they were majority owned by social equity-eligible individuals. The remaining revocation was for a disqualifying felony.

Hostess leans into stoner stereotype for 4/20 🧁

Hostess Snack Cakes, the makers of Twinkies, HoHos and Ding Dongs, are sending Munchie Mobiles with free snacks to dispensaries in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland in celebration of 4/20. The company is hoping to reach new customers among stoners, after spending decades associated with kids' snacks. It’s part of a broader trend of mainstream brands leaning into 4/20-related advertising.

Israel levies tariffs on Canadian cannabis 👀

It’s a different tariff story: Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry announced that the country will impose tariffs of up to 165% on Canadian cannabis for the next four years, StratCann reports. The tariffs are a reaction to what some Israeli officials say is “product dumping” from Canadian cannabis exporters.

Ohio generates $656.4 million in cannabis sales 8 months 🚀

Ohio cannabis businesses sold $656.4 million worth of product since the market officially opened in August, according to new numbers published by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control. Read more from Crain’s.

Curio Wellness expands its Maryland footprint 👣

Curio Wellness Partners, which has operations in Mississippi and Missouri, announced the opening of its third dispensary in Maryland, in partnership with Viola. Curio Wellness expects to further expand into New Jersey with a new dispensary in the Garden State by the end of spring. 

Grown Rogue reports $1.8 million from growing New Jersey operation 💰

Oregon-based Grown Rogue announced that its New Jersey cultivation affiliate made $1.8 million in revenue for Q1 2025. Grown Rouge plans to exercise its right to convert to 70% of ABCO Garden State, its New Jersey affiliate, by Fall 2026.

Catch Jeremy’s conversation with economist Robin Goldstein, the director of the Cannabis Economics Group at UC Davis, about which state cannabis markets are set to win, if the federal government pursues reform. In case you missed it:

Read our April 1 newsletter for more background, and download Goldstein’s full report here.

Seventy-six percent of cannabis consumers polled by NuggMD say that they “love” when mainstream brands promote themselves on 4/20. 

The poll asked 277 respondents, and only 24% say they didn’t want brands to jump on 4/20.

Your move, Cheetos.

Bill Maher praises Trump and swears it's not the weed talking 🥴

Longtime legalization advocate and HBO comedian Bill Maher said that he cannot blame his predilection for pot on his impression of President Donald Trump as a gracious host. Unlike on his podcast, Maher said his dinner with Trump and Kid Rock did not involve him getting stoned.