Cannabis Market Pulse: Top Cannabis News: June 30 – July 6, 2025

Canada

Alberta Launches Farmgate Cannabis Sales

Alberta’s liquor and cannabis regulator announced that, effective July 2, licensed cannabis producers in the province can apply for “farmgate” retail licenses to sell their own products on-site. This new Cannabis Supplier Retail Store program allows cultivators to open stores at or near their production facilities, a model already seen in Ontario, New Brunswick, and B.C. Alberta’s move aims to boost sales for local producers and provide consumers with direct access to farm-to-table cannabis products.

Manitoba Hikes Wholesale Cannabis Markup, Considers Rule Changes

The Manitoba government increased its wholesale markup on cannabis from 9% to 11% starting July 1, resulting in a roughly 2% price increase for retailers and consumers. Officials highlighted that Manitoba still has the lowest cannabis markup in Canada, but independent shop owners describe it as “one of those death-by-1,000-cuts” pressures on their business. In response to industry feedback, Manitoba also proposes removing the rule requiring opaque window coverings at cannabis stores, citing safety benefits that would allow staff and police to see inside during late hours.

Quebec Extends Cannabis Store Hours to Combat Illicit Market

Quebec’s cannabis retailer, the SQDC, will pilot extended hours at 19 branches following a recent law change. Starting July 7, some stores in Montréal and elsewhere will remain open until 10 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, and until 6 p.m. on Sundays, instead of the previous 6 p.m. closing time. Officials stated that the longer hours aim to attract customers away from illegal sellers during late evenings, improve access to regulated products, and boost the SQDC’s record sales, which reached $741.5 million in the past fiscal year.

Health Canada Referral Spurs Massive Cannabis Bust in Ontario

A Health Canada compliance inspection conducted in late June found that personal and designated medical growers in Ontario were exceeding their plant limits. Within days, Chatham-Kent police raided three sites and seized over 26,000 cannabis plants valued at around $26 million. Authorities allege the growers were abusing the medical licensing system to operate large-scale illegal operations, a practice that officials have been actively targeting. Charges are pending as the investigation remains ongoing.

Cronos Expands Medical Cannabis into Switzerland

Toronto-based Cronos Group Inc. is expanding its international presence by partnering with Swiss firm Dascoli Pharma AG to distribute Cronos’s Peace Naturals medical cannabis products in Switzerland. Announced on July 2, the deal will see Cronos providing Peace Naturals-branded flower to Dascoli’s network of Swiss pharmacies and clinics. Cronos’s CEO said this aligns with the company’s “borderless cannabis” strategy and follows similar medical market moves into Australia, Malta, the U.K., and Germany.

Mi’kmaq First Nation Crafts Its Own Cannabis Law

Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia is developing a community cannabis regulation with the help of former Senator Dan Christmas. Facing an influx of unlicensed 24/7 cannabis dispensaries in its 1,700-resident reserve, Membertou formed a Cannabis Law Working Group to establish rules that relocate sales to designated commercial areas and bring stores under band oversight. The proposed law, enabled by a new agreement with the province allowing First Nations to operate legal cannabis shops on-reserve, would see Membertou act as the wholesaler and regulator for any on-reserve cannabis retail. Community consultations in June revealed that many residents have concerns about traffic and safety issues caused by the current unregulated shops. The band council hopes to implement a safer, community-controlled framework soon.

United States

DOJ to Supreme Court: Keep Guns Out of Marijuana Users’ Hands 

The U.S. Solicitor General, on behalf of the Trump administration, petitioned the Supreme Court to uphold the federal ban on gun ownership by unlawful drug users, including cannabis consumers. In a June 23 filing, the DOJ argued that marijuana users pose “a clear danger of misusing firearms,” echoing a position previously taken under the Biden DOJ. The government seeks a review of U.S. v. Hemani after some lower courts ruled that the ban (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)) is unconstitutional under new Second Amendment standards. Federal lawyers maintain that disarming cannabis users – even in states where use is legal – is justified by public safety, drawing criticism from gun rights and cannabis reform advocates who say the policy is outdated.

California Cannabis Taxes Jump

Starting July 1, California’s excise tax on recreational cannabis increased from 15% to 19%, due to a 2017 law that automatically triggered a rate hike this year. The 4-point tax increase comes despite pleas from industry stakeholders struggling with high taxes and illicit competition. Lawmakers debated delaying the hike; a bill to pause it for five years had support, but ultimately, the new state budget did not include any delay. California officials say the increase could generate much-needed revenue, but legal cannabis retailers fear it will drive more consumers back to untaxed underground sellers. The state’s total tax on marijuana (excise plus local sales taxes) now exceeds 30% in many areas, making it one of the highest in the U.S.

North Carolina Governor Advances Cannabis Reform

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) is intensifying efforts to legalize and regulate cannabis in a state that has been slow to reform. In late June, Stein signed an executive order establishing a bipartisan Advisory Council on Cannabis charged with examining potential medical or adult-use legalization and providing policy recommendations. The governor pointed to public health concerns over the rapidly growing market of unregulated hemp-derived THC products (like delta-8), which are sold legally due to loopholes but lack age restrictions or safety measures. The new council will consider a comprehensive framework to safely incorporate cannabis, including the expungement of previous convictions. While Republican legislative leaders continue to oppose recreational marijuana, Stein’s initiative indicates increasing pressure in NC to consider at least a tightly regulated program as neighbouring states advance.

Federal Court Strikes Down Oregon’s Cannabis Labor Rule

In a victory for cannabis businesses’ rights, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that Oregon’s requirement for marijuana companies to sign “labour peace agreements” with unions is unlawful. The June decision found that mandating labour agreements as a licensing condition violated employers’ free speech rights under the National Labour Relations Act and was pre-empted by federal labour law. Oregon had been one of the few states to require these agreements, intended to prevent labour disputes, but licensed producers argued that the state exceeded its authority. The Oregon DOJ is reviewing whether to appeal. The ruling could have an impact beyond Oregon, as New York, California, and other states also impose union peace agreement rules on cannabis firms. Advocates for organized labour say the decision is a setback for worker protections, while business groups welcome relief from what they saw as onerous, state-imposed bargaining pressures.

International

Israel Nixes 165% Tariffs on Canadian Cannabis Imports –

A long-standing trade dispute over Canadian medical cannabis in Israel has been resolved in Canada’s favour. In a new ruling, Israel’s Legal Adviser to the Prime Minister upheld the Finance Minister’s veto of a proposed 165% import tariff on Canadian-grown cannabis. The decision, announced on July 3, confirms that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich acted lawfully when he blocked the steep tariffs that the Economy Ministry had pushed for. Israeli officials had considered the duties amid accusations of Canadian suppliers “dumping” cheap medical flower into Israel. With the ombudsman’s ruling, Canadian cannabis will continue entering Israel tariff-free, preserving a key export market for Canadian producers. The outcome ends a saga that began in January 2024 and saw Israeli ministries openly at odds, finally bringing certainty to Israeli patients and importers reliant on the Canadian product.

Czech Republic Legalizes Home Cannabis Cultivation and Psychedelics

The Czech Parliament approved a groundbreaking reform on May 30 that legalizes home cultivation of up to three cannabis plants per adult and possession of up to 100 grams at home (25 grams in public). The bill, which also legalizes therapeutic use of psilocybin mushrooms and proposes alternatives to criminal penalties for minor drug offences, awaits expected approval from the Senate and the president. If fully enacted, the law would come into effect by January 2026, making Czechia one of the most progressive EU countries regarding personal use of cannabis. Observers note this legislative move follows years of tolerant practices and could align with Germany’s and Luxembourg’s ongoing home-grow legalization efforts. Czech officials stress that commercial sales remain illegal for now, but these changes aim to reduce harms from the illicit market and approach drug use more as a health issue than a crime.

UK Issues New Guidance for CBD and THC Limits in Consumer Products

Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revised its safety guidelines for CBD products, indicating a more stringent approach to permissible doses and THC levels. In late June, the FSA advised CBD manufacturers to target a daily intake of no more than 10 mg CBD for consumers (a cautious recommended limit). It also confirmed a legal maximum of 1 mg total THC per product container, beyond which a product is deemed an illegal controlled substance. The agency will allow limited reformulation of existing CBD products on its Novel Foods approval list to comply with these limits. New labelling regulations are also being developed, including warnings and information on ingredient sourcing. A 12-week public consultation is scheduled to begin, with final rules expected by autumn 2026. The UK’s growing CBD sector, which operates mainly in a regulatory grey area, views these measures as both a challenge (since some products significantly exceed the 10 mg CBD/day limit) and an opportunity to establish clearer standards for long-term legitimacy.

RAW Rolling Papers Founder Buys High Times Magazine

Famed cannabis media brand High Times has a new owner aiming to revive it. Josh Kesselman, founder of RAW rolling papers, purchased High Times for $3.5 million after the magazine faced financial difficulties and paused print operations in 2022. Announced in late June, the deal transfers the iconic High Times intellectual property to Kesselman, who intends to rejuvenate the 49-year-old publication’s legacy. High Times was a staple of the counterculture movement that experienced tumultuous ownership changes and financial difficulties in recent years. The cannabis community responded to the news of the sale with optimism, viewing a passionate entrepreneur at the helm as a potential turnaround for a globally recognized brand, particularly at a time when cannabis media continues to hold significant influence over industry marketing and culture.

New Zealand’s Puro Signs $15.8M Export Deal to UK/Europe

 New Zealand cannabis grower Puro secured a major international supply deal, under which it will export NZ$15.8 million (about £7 million) worth of medical cannabis to the UK and Europe. The June agreement is with UK-based pharmaceutical distributor IPS Pharma and spans several years, utilising Puro’s extensive outdoor growing capacity. It is one of the largest contracts for New Zealand’s emerging cannabis industry and coincides with global demand for medicinal cannabis expected to triple by 2031. Puro’s CEO stated that the partnership affirms New Zealand’s reputation for high-quality production on the world stage and will help meet increasing patient demand abroad. The deal also indicates strengthening links between Australasian producers and European healthcare markets, which are seeking more diverse sources of medical-grade cannabis.

UK Distributor Dalgety Partners with Curaleaf to Boost EU Supply

Master distributor Dalgety U.K. announced a strategic partnership with Curaleaf International (the European arm of the U.S. MSO) to expand access to cannabis medicines across Europe. Revealed in late June, the collaboration will see Curaleaf supplying pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis products to Dalgety, which will distribute them through its channels in the U.K. and EU. This deal enhances Dalgety’s product portfolio with a dependable source from Curaleaf’s GMP-certified facilities, and it helps Curaleaf reach more patients in regulated markets. As part of the agreement, Dalgety and Curaleaf aim to support new country launches; for example, Curaleaf’s products could be among those stocked if the U.K.’s Crown Dependencies or other European nations expand medical access. Industry observers see such partnerships as vital to scaling up Europe’s medical cannabis infrastructure amid rising acceptance.