Cannabis Market Pulse: Top Cannabis News (Aug 11–17, 2025)

Here is this week’s market pulse in a single glance. From August 11 to 17, 2025, cannabis progressed on three key fronts affecting growth leaders. Canada measured its economic strength with concrete numbers, while municipal and provincial actions demonstrated how policy decisions influence actual demand. The United States advanced the discussion on federal rescheduling, introduced new consumption formats, and reminded us that governance and labor are as critical as product and price. Internationally, Germany’s medical market continued to expand, Australia and Italy increased premium access, and Thailand’s reversal signaled how swiftly regulatory changes can occur turn.

For brand, pricing, and portfolio owners, this week highlights three priorities. Convert demand into the regulated channel where retail access expands, as seen in Mississauga and New Jersey. Protect margin and trust through flawless compliance and supply chain resiliency, given label recalls and strike risks. Position now for international growth, with Germany’s imports and new partnerships generating near-term revenue and long-term brand strength footholds.

What follows is a curated briefing of the top ten stories in Canada, the United States, and international markets. Each item is selected for its business impact, legal significance, and cultural signal. Use it to align your go-to-market plans, brief executives, and make the next set of decisions with confidence.

Canada

1. Economic Report: Cannabis Adds $76B to GDP and 98,000 Jobs: 

A new Deloitte and OCS report highlighted the economic impact of legalization, finding that Canada’s cannabis industry contributed $76.5 billion to the national GDP from 2018 to 2024, while supporting approximately 98,200 jobs annually. Ontario alone accounted for $23.1 billion of GDP and one-third of the jobs. The report shows recreational cannabis sales reached $5.8 billion in 2024 (leveling off after initial growth), and the sector has generated $29.6 billion in tax revenue over six years. Mississauga’s Rapid

2. Retail Cannabis Boom: 

After opting into cannabis retail in 2023, Mississauga, Ontario, has quickly redirected consumers toward the legal market. The Deloitte/OCS study highlighted Mississauga’s retail development, noting that once stores opened, local illegal sales dropped as consumers adopted new legal shops. This case study highlights how allowing storefronts can help reclaim demand: the city’s experience over two years has shown a significant shift toward regulated sales.

3. Potential Strikes Threaten Cannabis Supply Chains: 

The industry is prepared for two labor disputes that could disrupt cannabis distribution. In mid-August, a potential Canada Post strike raised concerns about mail-order cannabis deliveries, and an upcoming public-sector strike in B.C. threatened to stop government-run distribution and retail services. Producers and retailers warned these strikes could cause product shortages and backlogs, urging contingency plans to ensure cannabis continues flowing to stores and patients.

4. Poll: B.C. Public Backs Smoking Restrictions: 

A new poll in British Columbia shows strong public support for stricter limits on smoking and vaping, including cannabis. 77% of respondents support banning smoking (tobacco and cannabis) in multi-unit housing, and 73% favor extending such bans to e-cigarettes. More than half would not consider dating a cannabis smoker. While 23% of British Columbians admit to smoking cannabis, many also want tighter rules on where it can be used, signaling cultural pushback against public cannabis use.

5. Avicanna Gets U.S. Patent for Cannabis Topical: 

Toronto-based Avicanna Inc. announced that the U.S. Patent Office has issued a patent for its new cannabinoid-infused topical gel formulation. The patented gel combines cannabinoids with antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anti-inflammatory agents, and is designed to treat skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Avicanna’s CEO celebrated the July 2025 patent as a boost to its intellectual property portfolio, noting the formula’s potential to provide clear-skin benefits through a unique cannabinoid delivery method system.

6. Pre-Roll Recalls in Quebec and Alberta: 

Health regulators in two provinces removed popular pre-roll products from shelves due to labeling errors. In Quebec, a mislabelled THC content on a pre-roll led to a recall, as did a similar labeling mistake in Alberta. Although no health issues were reported, both provinces’ cannabis boards issued warnings to licensed producers. These recalls underscore the industry’s stringent packaging regulations and the importance of accuracy in maintaining consumer trust and compliance standards.

7. East Coast Producer Expands Footprint: 

Prince Edward Island’s leading producer, Canada’s Island Garden, announced a deal to acquire Mernova Medicinal in Nova Scotia. The agreement, worth several tens of millions, grants Island Garden a stake in the Halifax-area cultivation facility and marks one of the first inter-province acquisitions in Atlantic Canada’s cannabis industry. Executives say this move will increase production capacity and foster synergy between PEI and Nova Scotia as smaller producers consolidate to stay ahead competitive.

8. Alberta Eases Training Rules for Cannabis Staff: 

Alberta’s regulator quietly eliminated its requirement that all cannabis retail workers be provincially certified. Starting in mid-August, new hires no longer need the “SellSafe” qualification (which included a background check) to work in cannabis stores. Store owners welcomed this change, saying it will simplify hiring and cut red tape. However, some industry observers point out that Alberta’s certification program helped ensure staff were knowledgeable about ID checks and safety and warn that removing it shifts more responsibility to retailers to train employees responsibly.

9. Court Order Targets Illicit Growers’ Wealth: 

In a Canadian legal first, the B.C. Supreme Court issued an “unexplained wealth order” to seize assets from two alleged illegal cannabis growers whose income didn’t match their luxury purchases. The case began when police traced a blood trail from a shooting to uncover an illegal grow operation; investigators then identified properties and luxury goods suspected of being bought with black-market profits. B.C.’s Public Safety Minister praised the innovative court order, the first of its kind in Canada, as a powerful tool to “follow the money” and discourage organized crime after legalization era.

10. Mohawk Cannabis Shop Torched Amid Tensions: 

An Indigenous-owned cannabis dispensary on Mohawk territory in Kanesatake, QC, was burned to the ground in a suspected arson attack. The Sweet Grass Lodge shop had been shot at earlier this summer, hinting at ongoing conflicts over unlicensed sales within the community. Local Mohawk police and firefighters responded to the Wednesday morning fire. The Mohawk Council has been struggling to regulate cannabis on their land, and this latest violent incident has heightened calls for a resolution to ensure community safety and harmony in the growing Indigenous cannabis industry sector.

United States

1. White House Considers Federal Cannabis Rescheduling: 

President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is “looking at” reclassifying marijuana under federal law. Speaking on August 11, Trump said a decision on moving cannabis to a less-restrictive schedule could come “within the next few weeks,” though no final determination has been made. This marks the first time in his term that Trump has publicly addressed cannabis policy, and it sparked widespread speculation that the DEA might shift marijuana from Schedule I (banned) to Schedule III, a change that would ease research and tax restrictions if enacted.

2. Bill Introduced to Reschedule Marijuana to Schedule III: 

Following Trump’s remarks, Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) announced he is reintroducing his Marijuana 1-to-3 Act, a bill to federally reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. Steube, a long-standing supporter of lowering cannabis’s classification, officially filed the bill and stated, “it makes zero sense that federal law treats marijuana the same as heroin and LSD.” The legislative effort serves as an alternative route if administrative rescheduling stalls and reflects increasing bipartisan interest in aligning federal law with the numerous states that permit medical or adult-use cannabis.

3. New Jersey Opens Its First Cannabis Lounges: 

In a historic first for the East Coast, New Jersey regulators approved four cannabis consumption lounges, with several opening to the public in mid-August. Two lounges on the Atlantic City boardwalk and others in Newark and Merchantville now allow adults to legally consume cannabis on-site. All these lounges, certified as minority- or women-owned businesses, must adhere to strict ventilation and safety rules (no alcohol or tobacco allowed). State officials called the openings a “major milestone” for New Jersey’s industry, hoping the licensed lounges will reduce illicit public smoking (Atlantic City police issued dozens of citations on the Boardwalk before the lounges opened). New Jersey is among the first states in the U.S. to introduce regulated cannabis cafés, offering a legal space for social consumption.

4. Delaware’s Adult-Use Sales Launch Strong: 

Delaware launched legal recreational cannabis sales in August, about two years after legalization was approved. The state’s first weekend of adult-use sales brought in over $900,000, indicating strong pent-up demand. Ten licensed stores opened, a modest number, but Delaware is a small state, and the governor expressed hopes of the “French wine of weed” coming from First State growers. The rollout followed a quick implementation timeline and is being closely observed as a potential model for neighboring Maryland and Pennsylvania. Early data shows Delaware consumers are eager, though officials note it will take time for supply and prices to stabilize in this new market.

5. New York Moves to Fix Dispensary Setback: 

New York’s troubled retail rollout hit another snag when regulators discovered over 150 dispensaries had been approved at locations too close to schools due to a measurement technicality. The state’s cannabis law mandates a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, but officials initially measured from school entrances instead of property lines, an error that left many dispensaries unknowingly out of compliance. In response, New York lawmakers introduced a bill to grandfather in those shops rather than shut them down. The fix, which is advancing in the legislature, aims to preserve dispensary licenses and maintain access in affected areas. Industry advocates say this episode highlights ongoing growing pains in New York’s program, and they praise the quick legislative action to protect small business owners who followed the state’s guidance in good faith.

6. Massachusetts Sheriff Indicted for Cannabis Corruption: 

In a high-profile case of alleged corruption, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins was indicted on federal extortion charges for pressuring a Boston cannabis company into giving him $50,000 worth of shares. Prosecutors say Tompkins threatened to use his influence over local licensing to damage the company’s prospects unless he received discounted stock. The scheme, described as a classic shakedown, was uncovered by the FBI and has caused shockwaves in Massachusetts’ regulatory community. Tompkins, a well-known law enforcement official, pleaded not guilty and was suspended from his duties. Industry observers see the case as a stark reminder of the cannabis sector’s early vulnerabilities to corruption, and they praised regulators’ quick response in cooperating with the investigation. If convicted, Tompkins faces up to 20 years in prison, highlighting that even those charged with enforcing the law aren’t above accountability it.

7. Cannabis Unionization Wave Grows: 

Workers in both the technology and retail sectors of the cannabis industry made labor advances. In Oregon, support staff at Dutchie, a major cannabis e-commerce and POS software provider, filed to unionize with the UFCW, marking the first unionization effort in the cannabis tech sector. Citing concerns over job security, outsourcing, and pay, Dutchie’s customer support agents aim for collective bargaining power in an often-overlooked part of the industry. Meanwhile, in Illinois, budtenders at Chicago’s Dispensary 33 officially joined the Teamsters Local 777, part of a growing movement to unionize dispensary workers across the state. The Teamsters highlight improved benefits and protections as more Illinois dispensaries organize. These campaigns reflect a broader trend of cannabis workers, from high-tech companies to front-line retail, turning to unions to secure better wages and working conditions in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry economy.

8. Times Square Welcomes Its First Dispensary: 

New York City reached a symbolic milestone as The Daily Green dispensary opened in Times Square, the famed “Crossroads of the World." The new store instantly became one of America’s most high-profile cannabis locations, situated amid Broadway theaters and large tourist crowds. The shop’s design emphasizes NYC’s media legacy with a newsroom-themed interior, and its presence in Times Square serves as much a marketing statement as a retail venture. Observers note that a legal cannabis store in Times Square, once unthinkable, shows how far normalization has come. City officials hope it will attract tourists away from unlicensed “gray market” vendors and into the regulated market. The opening also highlights New York’s ongoing rollout of dispensaries, which, despite delays and legal challenges, are starting to appear in prominent locations neighborhoods.

9. Stocks Surge on Hopes of Rescheduling: 

Cannabis stock prices soared in mid-August, driven by optimism that U.S. federal rescheduling is imminent. Following news that President Trump and Congress are seriously considering Schedule III status, major Canadian LPs saw double-digit gains, with Aurora Cannabis jumping 16% and Tilray and Canopy Growth each rising over 10%. U.S.-focused ETFs also surged, with the cannabis ETF MSOS jumping 25% in a week. Investors expect that moving marijuana out of Schedule I could reduce Section 280E tax burdens and attract institutional investment, boosting industry profitability. Analysts warned that any policy changes are not guaranteed and could take many months, but the market reaction indicates renewed “green rush” sentiment. The rally added hundreds of millions in market cap to cannabis firms, although stocks remain well below peak valuations, highlighting how severely the sector has been affected during federal regulations prohibition.

International

1. High Tide Enters Germany’s Medical Cannabis Market: 

Canadian retailer High Tide Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire 51% of Remexian Pharma GmbH, a German cannabis importer and wholesaler, for approximately €27.2 million. The August 14 deal (with an option to purchase the remaining stake later) gives High Tide a direct presence in Germany, currently the world’s largest medical cannabis market. Remexian, based near Berlin, holds licenses to import from 19 countries and operates an EU-GMP distribution warehouse. High Tide’s CEO said this “highly accretive” acquisition, which adds an estimated C$100 million in annual revenue, positions the company for expansion across Europe ahead of Germany’s planned recreational pilot programs. The move highlights Canadian firms’ global ambitions, leveraging expertise from Canada’s $1.9 billion legal market to supply Germany’s rapidly growing patient base.

2. Aurora Launches Cannabis Craft Brand in Australia: 

Aurora Cannabis Inc., based in Edmonton, is expanding its premium craft flower to patients in Australia through the launch of its Whistler Cannabis Co. brand. In a press release on August 12, Aurora, one of Canada’s largest medical producers, announced it has started exporting two high-THC Whistler cultivars (such as “Ginger Breath” at 32% THC) for medical use in Australia. Executives highlighted Whistler’s Canadian craft heritage—which features hang-dried, hand-trimmed flower from BC—and stated that its debut “offers Australian patients a true Canadian cannabis experience." Australia’s medical cannabis market has been growing steadily, with over 300,000 prescriptions in 2024, and Aurora’s move indicates increasing international competition to provide Australia’s patients with high-quality imported products.

3. Tilray Forms Partnership to Boost Medical Cannabis in Italy: 

Tilray Medical, a division of Tilray Brands Inc., is partnering with Italian pharma company Molteni Farmaceutici to expand access to cannabis extracts in Italy. Announced on August 13, the strategic partnership will see Molteni, a specialist in pain and addiction therapy, distribute Tilray’s full-spectrum cannabis extract products and provide education to Italian healthcare professionals. This collaboration comes as Italy’s medical cannabis program, which depends heavily on imports, aims to improve patient access. Tilray, already a major supplier of medical cannabis oil in Italy, described the deal as “a commitment to advancing patient care” through enhanced provider training and increased availability of EU-GMP certified cannabis medicines. (Separately, Tilray recently became the first company licensed to distribute medical cannabis flower in Italy, marking a milestone in opening that market.)

4. Cookies Opens First Store in Jamaica: 

Famed U.S. cannabis brand Cookies expanded its global presence by opening a flagship store in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on August 5. The new retail location on MoBay’s iconic “Hip Strip” offers Cookies’ lineup of California-origin products, local Jamaican-grown strains, branded apparel, and functional mushroom supplements. Cookies CEO Berner described Jamaica as “one of the most iconic and influential places in the world for cannabis culture,” mentioning he’s enjoyed the herb there since he was 18. The company plans additional Jamaican outlets and “Cookies Corners” shop-in-shop concepts to tap into the island’s vibrant cannabis scene. This store opening, after Cookies shops in cities from LA to Bangkok, highlights the cannabis lifestyle brand’s international reach, connecting California hype with Jamaica’s legendary ganja legacy.

5. German Medical Cannabis Imports Hit Record High: 

New data show Germany imported 43.3 metric tonnes of medical cannabis in Q2 2025, setting a quarterly record. This is a 15% increase from Q1’s imports (37.5 tonnes) and nearly quadruples the amount imported in Q2 of the previous year. The surge reflects growing patient demand under Germany’s expanded medical program, with active patient counts rising from about 250,000 to around 900,000 over the past year. Notably, nearly half of the imports by volume came from Canada, reinforcing that country’s role as a leading supplier. Industry analysts say Germany’s strong appetite (on track for over 160 tonnes in 2025) highlights why it’s considered a key player in the global cannabis market. The trend is expected to continue as Germany plans pilot trials for adult-use sales, maintaining strong imports until domestic production or recreational reforms are implemented up.

6. German Lawmakers Block Medical Cannabis Crackdown: 

Germany’s ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) announced it will “not support” a draft plan to tighten the country’s medical cannabis rules, calling the proposed restrictions unacceptable. Last month, the Health Ministry proposed an amendment that would significantly reduce access, including banning mail-order delivery and requiring in-person doctor visits for prescriptions. After an inquiry from the public, SPD Bundestag member Carmen Wegge pledged that the party will oppose the draft “under any circumstances,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining telemedicine and easy access for patients in rural areas. Wegge reaffirmed the SPD’s commitment to fully legalizing cannabis and simplifying medical use despite a new conservative health minister. The opposition indicates that the restrictive amendment faces a tough road ahead, and patient advocates, encouraged by recent record import figures, have allies in parliament defending the progress made in Germany’s medical program.

7. Turkey Allows Pharmacy Sales of Low-THC Cannabis Medicines: 

In late July, Turkey’s Parliament approved legislation allowing licensed pharmacies to sell hemp-derived medical products for the first time. The reform, passed on July 20, is not presented as full medical cannabis legalization but as an expansion of Turkey’s industrial hemp program into finished medical products. Only non-intoxicating, low-THC cannabinoid formulations will be available, and only to patients with specific conditions. Turkish media initially celebrated it as medical cannabis legalization, but officials clarified it’s focused on “cannabinoid medicines” like CBD sprays (Turkey in 2016 approved a similar import of Sativex mouth spray). Still, this marks a significant step for a majority-Muslim nation with strict drug laws, indicating a cautious opening for therapeutic use. Regulators will now develop a supply chain from hemp cultivation to pharmacy distribution of these products under Health Ministry oversight, which could serve as a model for other countries in the region balancing prohibitionist attitudes with patient needs.

8. Thailand Reverses Cannabis Decriminalization: 

Thailand’s new government has moved to recriminalize recreational cannabis just over a year after the country famously removed it from the list of illegal drugs and sparked a green boom. In mid-August, officials confirmed that cannabis will be reclassified as a controlled substance again, restricting use to medical purposes. The Health Ministry already issued an order (effective once published) banning all recreational cannabis sales and requiring a doctor’s prescription for any purchase. This policy reversal comes after a conservative party took power and amid claims that unregulated easy access led to youth abuse and a surge of dispensaries in tourist areas. Since Thailand’s June 2022 decriminalization, an estimated $1 billion cannabis industry has grown with thousands of shops. Now, the industry is in a state of limbo. Entrepreneurs are stunned; many have invested their life savings in dispensaries and cultivation. Observers call it “a hostage to politics” as the new government yields to pressure to undo the previous administration’s reforms. How authorities will enforce the ban (and whether a limited medical program remains) is still unclear, but Thailand’s brief experiment with near-legalization appears over, leaving Asia’s once-brightest cannabis market in doubt.

9. Curaleaf Consolidates Its European Operations: 

U.S.-based Curaleaf Holdings expanded its international reach by acquiring the remaining stake in Curaleaf International, its European division, from a minority investor. Announced in early July, this move gives Curaleaf 100% control of its Europe-based operations, including cultivation and distribution in the UK, Germany, Italy, and Portugal. The buyout was executed through a put/call option agreement from 2021, with the investor choosing to take Curaleaf stock in exchange for its share. Curaleaf’s Executive Chairman Boris Jordan stated this consolidation will “streamline decision-making and accelerate strategic initiatives in Europe,” enabling the company to operate more nimbly as European markets liberalize. The deal highlights Curaleaf’s commitment to global growth despite challenges in the U.S. market. By fully integrating its European division, Curaleaf aims to leverage its scale and brand across emerging markets, such as Germany, which is launching adult-use pilot programs without outside partners, betting on long-term gains as legalization spreads internationally.

10. Jersey to Ban Cannabis Advertising: 

The island of Jersey (a UK Crown Dependency) is finalizing a ban on medicinal cannabis advertising and tightening rules as its local cannabis industry develops. Jersey’s government reported in mid-August that a law prohibiting any ads for medical cannabis products is in the “final stages of drafting.’ The move comes amid a broader crackdown on perceived promotion of cannabis medicine, with regulators wanting to ensure that any patient communications are strictly informational and physician-led, not marketing. Jersey, which legalized medical cannabis in 2019 and has issued licenses for cultivation and export, aims to position itself as a serious cannabis hub (sometimes called the “Cannabis Isle”). Officials say banning ads will keep the focus on medicine and prevent companies from glamorizing prescription cannabis to the public. The advertising ban is expected to take effect later in 2025, and violators could face fines. Jersey’s stance reflects a cautious regulatory approach also seen in Guernsey and the UK, prioritizing patient safety and restricting commercialization in the medical cannabis space.

Conclusion

This week’s signals indicate that a market is stabilizing in some areas and fluctuating in others. Canada shows the steady pattern of a mature sector, while local decisions still influence real demand. In the United States, policy developments and new consumption formats are growing the addressable market, but governance, labor, and compliance risks remain significant. Internationally, Germany continues to expand, Australia and Italy strengthen access, and Thailand reminds us that policy can change suddenly. The winners will be brands and operators who plan for regulation as a living variable, not a fixed rule.