Rescheduling not on Trump’s drug priority list 🤔

"I don't see that there is any chance of full legalization of recreational marijuana. I do think there continues to be discussion about medical marijuana,” North Carolina Senate President Phil Berger said in an interview.

Cannabis remains illegal in North Carolina, though one Cherokee group has been able to open a dispensary, called The Great Smoky Cannabis Company.

Rescheduling not on White House priority list 📉

The long-awaited and much-delayed Biden plan to reschedule cannabis doesn’t appear on the list of drug policy priorities for Trump’s second term, Marijuana Moment reports. The initial six priorities will largely focus on combating drug trafficking and mitigating the opioid crisis, a statement from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) says.

Controlled Substance staff at FDA avoid job cuts 🥊

Employees of the Controlled Substance Staff division within the Food and Drug Administration have largely avoided Tuesday’s massive cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, Politico reports. The division is responsible for much of the FDA’s cannabis policy.

New York launches cannabis workforce training program 📈

New York’s Office of Cannabis Management announced the launch of the Responsible Workforce Training program, which the state says is a new initiative to expand access to education and build a safe, informed & compliant cannabis industry. More details here. 

Woman dies from fentanyl-laces cannabis, according to police 🤔

A 27-year-old woman apparently died after consuming fentanyl-laced cannabis in Warwick, Rhode Island, the police say. The cannabis wasn’t purchased from a license dispensary, but many advocates are questioning the police’s narrative. 

Hawaii cracks down on intoxicating hemp 🌿

Hawaii lawmakers introduced a resolution to clamp down on unlicensed stores selling intoxicating hemp products, SF Gate reports. It’s the latest state after California and others to push for a crackdown on these products.

Missouri cannabis dispensary chain BeLeaf Medical acquired BesaMe Wellness, which has five retail locations, and will rebrand as SWADE. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Read more.

Ayr Wellness has a new CEO 👀

Cannabis firm Ayr Wellness is on its fourth CEO in as many years. Scott Davido will be replacing interim CEO Steven Cohen who stepped down last week after taking the role in September. Davido is a senior managing director at Ankura Consulting Group. The company did not say when they’ll look to make a permanent hire.

The global cannabis beverages market is expected to hit $12.3 billion by the end of the decade and $28.6 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.6%, according to an analysis from Market.us. Check out the full report here. 

High just got higher: Trump tariffs to raise prices for US cannabis users | Reuters

Has the state Office of Cannabis Management begun to turn things around? | City & State New York

Oregon has spent $46 million fighting black market cannabis. Officials can’t tell if it’s working | Oregon Capital Chronicle