The Cannabis Market Pulse Nov 10th to 16th

As cannabis markets continue to evolve worldwide, the past week brought a wave of notable developments across regulatory changes, business growth, public health research, and international milestones. From Canada’s efforts to regulate cannabis retail density to the U.S. government’s crackdown on hemp-derived THC, and Germany’s expansion of cannabis clubs, these stories reflect the fast-moving nature of a rapidly maturing global industry.

Below is a region-by-region breakdown of the 30 most important cannabis news stories from November 10–16, 2025, covering Canada, the United States, and the international scene. Each section features unique headlines with summaries and links provided at the end for further reading.

Canada

1. Toronto Examines Cannabis Retail Cap: Toronto City Council moved to explore ways to limit the number of cannabis stores in neighborhoods, passing a motion asking the provincial government for authority to cap retail outlets per ward. This comes amid mixed opinions in the community about the growth of cannabis shops.

2. Massive Cannabis Seizure in Montreal: The Canada Border Services Agency reported confiscating 2,723 kg of cannabis at Montreal’s marine port, hidden within shipments of lumber and paper towels bound for the UK. Officials emphasized that, despite legalization within the country, exporting cannabis without a permit remains a serious criminal offense.

3. Uber Pursues Cannabis Delivery in Alberta: Uber has been lobbying Alberta’s government about smartphone delivery of regulated items like alcohol and cannabis. An Uber Canada spokesperson said the company is watching potential regulatory changes so it can expand cannabis ordering through its app, building on its existing partnerships with licensed retailers in Ontario and BC.

4. Push to End Cannabis ‘Dry’ Towns in Manitoba: Cannabis producer TobaGrown urges the communities of Steinbach and Winkler in Manitoba to reconsider their bans on cannabis sales. Seven years after these towns opted out of retail sales following federal legalization, the company argues that allowing legal stores now would reduce illegal market activity and better serve local consumers.

5. Study Links Heavy Cannabis Use to Lung Damage: New Canadian research shows that frequent, long-term cannabis use can cause worse respiratory symptoms and decreased lung function. The study’s results highlight health warnings for heavy cannabis users, comparing its effects on airways to those of tobacco.

6. Cannabis Retailer Expands Presence: High Tide Inc. announced it will open four new “Canna Cabana” retail stores across Ontario and Alberta (in Calgary, Scarborough, Kitchener, and Nepean), increasing its total to 215 locations nationwide. The chain’s rapid growth reflects ongoing consumer demand in the post-legalization retail market.

7. New Brunswick Sales Drop as Concentrates Grow: Cannabis NB’s second-quarter report revealed $26.8 million in sales, marking a slight decline year-over-year. Revenue from dried flowers decreased compared to Q2 last year, but sales of concentrate products rose, indicating changing consumer preferences even as overall provincial sales modestly declined.

8. Mixed Earnings and a Lifeline for Producers: Several Canadian cannabis companies announced their Q3 financial results. Notably, Vancouver-based Rubicon Organics secured a $4 million loan alongside its earnings report, highlighting the financial pressures in the industry. Other producers like MediPharm, Auxly, and Village Farms also reported results as the sector continues to pursue profitability.

9. Public Supports Cannabis Industry Growth: A national poll commissioned by Organigram found about 60% of Americans want the federal government to do more to support jobs and innovation in the legal cannabis sector. Industry leaders highlighted the survey to urge policy reforms, such as tax cuts and crackdowns on illegal markets, to unlock cannabis as a key driver of economic growth.

10. Cannabis Distribution Strike Ends in BC: In British Columbia, a labor dispute affecting cannabis distribution was officially resolved as BC General Employees’ Union members ratified a new agreement. The deal formally ended job actions that had disrupted the province’s legal cannabis supply in late October, allowing wholesale and retail operations to return to normal.

United States

1. Congress Closes the ‘Hemp Loophole’: A federal funding bill signed into law by President Trump includes a provision to recriminalize high-THC hemp products. The measure, backed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, bans intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, effective in one year. This deal a blow to the growing market for hemp-based THC beverages and edibles in many states.

2. White House: Rescheduling Review “Ongoing”: The White House confirmed that the review of cannabis’s federal scheduling status is still in progress with no final decision made yet. As Trump approved the hemp crackdown, officials noted that all policy and legal implications of potentially moving marijuana from Schedule I are still carefully being considered by the administration.

3. Massachusetts Moves to Loosen Cannabis Rules: A Massachusetts Senate committee approved legislation to overhaul the Cannabis Control Commission and relax certain restrictions. The bill would, among other changes, double the legal possession limit for adults, reflecting efforts in the state to streamline regulations and expand consumer freedoms in the mature recreational market.

4. New Jersey Bill Would Expand Access: The Senate president introduced a bill allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to start adult-use sales without needing local approval. The proposal would also remove the governor’s power to unilaterally appoint the cannabis commission chair. If enacted, the law aims to speed up retail expansion and fix bottlenecks in the state’s rollout of recreational cannabis.

5. Nebraska Showdown Over Tribal Dispensary: Tensions flared in Nebraska as state officials pushed back against the Omaha Tribe’s plans to open a cannabis dispensary on reservation land. The governor and attorney general insist sales be limited to tribal members, while the tribe argues it can serve all adults. The conflict highlights ongoing disputes over jurisdiction and sovereignty in states without legalized cannabis.

6. Veterans’ access to cannabis blocked again: A provision that would have let VA doctors recommend medical cannabis to veterans was removed from the final federal budget bill. Despite bipartisan support in earlier drafts, the omission keeps Veteran Affairs physicians from prescribing or even discussing medical marijuana, a setback for advocates who view cannabis as a safer option for PTSD and chronic pain.

7. Minnesota Approves Cannabis Festival: Minnesota regulators granted the state’s first license for an event with on-site cannabis sales and consumption. The pilot license will permit a music festival to feature legal marijuana vendors and designated use areas, marking a significant step in Minnesota’s progress toward adult-use legalization and paving the way for cannabis-friendly public events.

8. Florida Voters Want a Say on Legalization: A new Florida poll revealed that 89% of likely voters believe the public, rather than lawmakers, should decide on legalizing adult-use marijuana. The strong support for a ballot referendum comes as Florida gears up for a 2026 legalization initiative, even as state officials, including the governor, continue to oppose recreational cannabis through legislative means.

9. Governors Clash Over Legalization Impact: A war of words erupted between Colorado and Florida over cannabis policy. After Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed that legalization in other states fueled black-market activity, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis publicly refuted the claim. Polis pointed out Florida’s lack of regulated access and even accused DeSantis of improperly using state funds to campaign against a proposed Florida legalization amendment, defending Colorado’s record under legalization.

10. New York Eases Packaging and Advertising Rules: New York’s Cannabis Control Board approved reforms to strict packaging, labeling, and advertising rules for marijuana products. The updated policies aim to help licensed businesses become more competitive (for example, permitting attractive branding and clearer labels) as the state continues refining its legal cannabis program to fight a persistent illegal market.

International

1. Japan Targets New Hemp Cannabinoid: Japan’s health authorities have started asking for public input on a plan to classify cannabinol (CBN) as a controlled “designated drug." The move would prohibit the production, import, and sale of CBN products, a compound marketed for sleep aid, due to government warnings about its psychoactive effects. Industry groups in Japan are preparing for the proposed restrictions, which could be implemented by year's end.

2. Dutch City Opposes Coffeeshops: In the Netherlands, residents of Deventer petitioned their city council to ban cannabis “coffeeshops” from prominent downtown squares. Locals argue that these shops (which legally sell marijuana in the Netherlands) don’t belong in family-oriented public spaces. The movement occurs as some Dutch municipalities reconsider the placement and density of coffeeshops in historic city centers.

3. Australian Cannabis Doctor Banned: Australia’s medical regulator has imposed a lifetime prescribing ban on a prominent cannabis clinic doctor who treated over 4,200 patients via telehealth. An investigation by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency found that the physician had greatly exceeded monthly prescription limits for some patients. This case, one of the first high-profile disciplinary actions in Australia’s medical cannabis program, raises concerns about oversight of heavy prescribers.

4. Germany Issues Hundreds of Cannabis Club Licenses: Germany’s government announced that 357 cannabis “cultivation association” licenses have been approved since applications opened in July. These nonprofit clubs will enable adult members to grow and access recreational cannabis legally as part of Germany’s phased legalization approach. Additionally, new data indicated that Germany’s medical cannabis imports reached a quarterly high (nearly 57 metric tons in Q3 2025), reflecting increasing demand across the country.

5. UK Families Criticize Medical Cannabis ‘Failure’: On the seventh anniversary of Britain’s medical cannabis legalization, patient families gathered at Westminster to demand urgent solutions to what they see as a national policy failure. Since 2018, only a few children with severe epilepsy have received NHS cannabis prescriptions, forcing others to pay hefty prices for private treatments or turn to illegal sources. The families, supported by MPs, are calling for expanded NHS access, GP prescribing rights, and reimbursement for those facing crushing private costs.

6. Tilray Condemns US Hemp Ban: Canada-based Tilray Brands, a major international cannabis company, criticized the United States’ new ban on high-THC hemp products. Tilray, which sells hemp-derived THC beverages in the US, warned that an outright prohibition will hurt consumers and small businesses. The company advocated for a regulated approach, suggesting reasonable THC limits (such as 10 mg per serving in drinks) rather than a blanket ban on the growing hemp cannabinoid market.

7. Former Drug Czar Joins German Cannabis Industry: Burkhard Blienert, who until recently served as Germany’s Federal Drug Commissioner, has joined the board of the German Pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Association. Blienert’s move into industry comes after he helped develop Germany’s legalization framework. His appointment is viewed as a positive development for the medical cannabis sector and indicates growing collaboration between former regulators and cannabis businesses in Europe’s largest market.

8. Cannabis-Based Drug Outperforms Opioids for Pain: New clinical trial results from Europe show that an experimental cannabis-derived medication offers safer and more effective relief for chronic lower back pain than opioid painkillers. In Phase 3 studies, patients taking the cannabis extract VER-01 reported greater pain relief, better sleep, and fewer side effects like constipation compared to those on opioids. Researchers are hopeful this cannabis-based therapy could become a breakthrough alternative to opioids for long-term pain management once it receives regulatory approval.

9. Czech Republic Prepares for Legalization in 2026: The Czech Republic is getting ready to launch a regulated adult-use cannabis market by January 1, 2026. Lawmakers in Prague have been finalizing rules on licensing, cultivation, and sales in anticipation of the law’s effective date. Czech officials aim to align their approach with Germany and Malta, making Czechia one of the first EU countries (after Malta and Germany) to introduce legal recreational cannabis, pending final parliamentary approval.

10. Youth Cannabis Use Declines in Canada After Legalization: A recent international study shows that adolescent marijuana use in Canada has decreased since the country legalized adult use in 2018. Canadian teens are now less likely to use cannabis frequently or see it as harmless compared to before legalization. The results, funded by a U.S. agency, indicate that strict regulation and public education in legal markets can reduce youth access and use, supporting arguments for legalization in other countries.

The cannabis industry continues to mirror broader social, political, and economic trends, with recent developments highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges. In Canada, discussions about retail market saturation and public health coexist with growth in key markets. The United States experienced renewed tension between federal policies and state-level reforms, while internationally, countries like Germany and the Czech Republic are updating their regulatory approaches and market access rules. As legalization spreads and cannabis becomes more normalized across various sectors, staying informed is crucial for industry players, policymakers, and consumers alike. This overview provides a snapshot of a rapidly evolving landscape and serves as a reminder that cannabis remains a global issue with local impacts.