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The Cannabis Market Pulse Nov 2nd to 9th

The cannabis sector just witnessed a wave of significant developments across policy, business, and public health, with significant implications for investors, operators, and policymakers worldwide.

In Canada, federal budget reforms are reshaping the medical cannabis landscape, while new data shows youth use is declining post-legalization.In the U.S., Congress is cracking down on hemp-derived THC, key elections signal a pro-reform shift, and Gallup confirms legalization remains broadly supported.Globally, Thailand is reversing its cannabis liberalization, while countries like Colombia, Czechia, and Morocco are expanding regulated access and export markets.

We’ve curated the top 10 stories from each region —Canada, the U.S., and international markets —ranked by impact and sourced from leading publications. Whether you're tracking regulatory shifts, M&A trends, or public health findings, this roundup delivers what matters.

Canada

  1. Federal Budget Targets Veteran Cannabis Costs - Nov 4, 2025 - CityNews Montreal (Canada) - Canada’s Budget 2025 proposes to slash reimbursement rates for veterans’ medical cannabis from $8.50/gram to $6.00/gram, aiming to save $4.4 billion over four years. Officials say cannabis prices have fallen, and the reimbursement cut brings rates closer to market prices. The move sparked concern from veterans and producers, who warn it could limit patient access and hurt Canada’s medical cannabis sector.

  2. Cannabis Industry Slams Budget Cuts - Nov 5, 2025 - StratCann (Canada) - Canadian producers voiced disappointment at Budget 2025 proposals to curb medical cannabis spending. The budget’s cost-saving measures include reducing Veterans Affairs Canada’s cannabis reimbursement (from $8.50 to $6.00 per gram) and other adjustments projected to save billions. Industry leaders argue these cuts will harm patients and businesses, calling the changes a step backward for Canada’s medical cannabis program.

  3. Alberta Expands Farm-Gate Sales - Nov 5, 2025 - StratCann (Canada) - Alberta’s regulator (AGLC) announced updates to “farm-gate” cannabis sales rules, allowing licensed producers to sell products on-site at their cultivation facilities. The changes aim to boost rural economies and tourism by allowing producers to open retail stores on their farms. Industry stakeholders welcomed the move, noting it provides new direct-to-consumer opportunities and strengthens the province’s cannabis market.

  4. Canadians spent $6 billion on Legal Cannabis in 2024 - Nov 7, 2025 - StratCann (Canada) - New data show Canada’s legal cannabis market drove over $6 billion in household spending in 2024. The figure - reflecting purchases of legal recreational and medical cannabis - underscores the rapid growth of the regulated market since legalization. Analysts say robust consumer demand continues to draw Canadians away from illicit sources, though high taxes and prices remain challenges for the industry.

  5. Report on Legalization: Youth Use Down, Illegal Market Shrinking - Nov 9, 2025 - StratCann (Canada) - A federal departmental results report on Canada’s cannabis legalization initiative (2017-2025) finds positive trends. Youth cannabis use has decreased slightly (fewer 15-17 year-olds report frequent use), and young Canadians today are more likely to see cannabis as harmful than before legalization. The report notes the legal market’s share of total cannabis demand keeps rising, indicating progress in displacing illicit sales. The government invested about $965 million over 8 years across Health Canada, law enforcement, and public education to implement legalization.

  6. Study: Teen Cannabis Use Declines Post-Legalization - Nov 7, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (Science) - A new peer-reviewed study of Canadian high-schoolers shows adolescent cannabis use fell in the years after legalization. Comparing 2017-18 (pre-legalization) to 2021-22, the past-month use rate among teens dropped from 15% to 12%. Researchers found more students reporting “never” using cannabis post-legalization, concluding that “in a relatively short 4-year period… adolescent cannabis use has declined”. The findings contradict fears that legalization would increase teen use and align with other studies noting that youth usage either stayed flat or decreased.

  7. Big Licit Producers Show Improving Finances - Nov 7, 2025 - StratCann (Canada) - Major Canadian cannabis companies reported mixed but improving Q3 results. Canopy Growth Corp. announced it narrowed its losses significantly in fiscal Q2 2026, attributing a “steep decline in losses” to cost cuts and focus on core products. Cronos Group posted record quarterly net revenue in Q3 2025, reflecting rising sales of extracts and edibles. While many producers are still operating at a loss, the results suggest Canada’s licensed sector is gradually adjusting to oversupply and competition, with some firms nearing profitability after years of downturn.

  8. Distribution Shake-Up: Green Hedge Acquired - Nov 3, 2025 - StratCann (Canada) - In industry consolidation news, Kindred Canada (a cannabis brokerage firm) acquired Green Hedge, a prominent sales, education, and distribution company. The deal, effective Nov 3, brings Green Hedge’s portfolio of brands (including Wana, Greybeard, and others) under Kindred’s umbrella. Executives said the move positions Kindred as a leading broker of adult-use cannabis, expanding its reach to over 2,500 retail partners nationwide. The acquisition reflects confidence in the future market and aims to improve service and value across Canada’s cannabis supply chain.

  9. Aurora and SNDL Post Notable Results - Nov 4-5, 2025 - StratCann (Canada) - Earnings reports from other major players drew attention. Aurora Cannabis reported a C$53 million net loss in Q2 2026, a marked improvement as it shifts away from the saturated non-medical market. SNDL Inc. (formerly Sundial) announced that its cannabis operations revenue jumped 50% year over year in Q3 2025. The revenue rise—driven by store acquisitions and popular value brands—highlights growth on the retail side even as wholesale prices remain low. Investors remain cautiously optimistic that continued cost controls and higher-margin product segments will steer Canadian LPs toward stability after years of volatility.

  10. Alberta Wholesale Milestone - Nov 5, 2025 - StratCann (Canada) - New figures from Alberta revealed the province’s cannabis wholesaler (AGLC) distributed nearly $700 million worth of cannabis in the 2024-25 fiscal year. This substantial volume underscores Alberta’s status as a thriving market, second only to Ontario in sales. Regulators noted strong demand for dried flower and value products, while also launching programs to help small producers and expand product diversity. The wholesale milestone—roughly 10% of national sales —reflects both Alberta’s consumer appetite and the success of its privatized retail framework in reaching customers.

United States

  1. Congress Moves to Ban Hemp-Derived THC - Nov 9, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (U.S. Politics) - Congressional leaders struck a bipartisan spending deal that would federally recriminalize many hemp-derived THC products, such as delta-8 THC. The draft omnibus bill “prevents the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based products, including Delta-8, from being sold online, in gas stations, and corner stores, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD”. It redefines legal hemp to include a total THC limit (0.4 mg per product) and bans synthetic cannabinoids. The measure, agreed to by top appropriators, responds to concerns about unregulated “hemp THC” edibles being sold to minors. However, it excludes** earlier provisions that would have let VA doctors recommend medical marijuana, which veteran groups had supported. The late-added hemp crackdown, if enacted, marks a significant tightening of federal cannabis policy even as many states have loosened theirs.

  2. Pro-Legalization Wins in Key Elections - Nov 5, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (U.S. Politics) - Voters elected cannabis reform supporters in two significant races. In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the governorship, defeating a prohibitionist candidate. Spanberger has pledged to establish a regulated retail market (Virginia legalized possession in 2021, but retail sales remain stalled). Her victory, along with a flip of the state legislature, is expected to revive efforts to launch adult-use stores and “prioritize public safety and grow Virginia’s economy” via cannabis regulation. In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill was elected governor and voiced support for legalizing home cultivation for adults, which New Jersey’s 2021 legalization law omitted. She called, allowing limited home-grown a commonsense next step to enhance patient access and personal freedom. Advocates say these election outcomes in Virginia and New Jersey will accelerate cannabis reforms at the state level, expanding access and industry opportunities.

  3. Gallup Poll: US Legalization Support Remains Strong - Nov 5, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (U.S. Culture) - Gallup’s latest annual survey found 64% of Americans support legalizing marijuana, reaffirming steady majority support. However, overall approval dipped 4 points from the prior year (68%), driven by a sharp drop in Republican support to just 40%—the lowest GOP approval in a decade. In contrast, 85% of Democrats and 66% of independents favor legalization, unchanged in recent years. Analysts theorize that anti-drug messaging under former President Trump may have influenced Republican attitudes. Despite the partisan gap, nearly two-thirds of Americans now back legalization, reflecting broad cultural acceptance. Gallup noted that public support is almost triple what it was in the 1990s and said the long-term upward trend remains intact.

  4. Study: Cannabis Beverages Substitute for Alcohol - Nov 5, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (U.S. Science & Health) - A new survey of over 3,000 U.S. adults who drink THC-infused beverages found that most reduced their alcohol consumption after adding cannabis drinks to their routine. Over a 22-day trial, participants’ self-reported daily alcohol use dropped by ~13 percentage points, and heavy drinking episodes (3+ drinks) fell from 38% to 25% probability. 72% agreed they drank less alcohol while using cannabis beverages. Participants also reported improved sleep, reduced stress, anxiety, pain, and feeling less intoxicated than with booze. The industry-sponsored survey, released by research firm MoreBetter, provides evidence of a “substitution effect”, suggesting some Americans are swapping alcohol for cannabis in social settings. With major retailers now carrying THC drinks in legal states, these findings highlight a potential public health benefit (lower alcohol use) alongside the booming cannabis beverage market.

  5. Tribal Sovereignty Showdown in Nebraska - Nov 7, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (U.S. Politics) - A conflict escalated between the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and state officials over the tribe’s plans to open a legal cannabis market on its reservation. Nebraska’s governor and attorney general (both Republicans) warned buyers could be prosecuted if they purchase marijuana on the reservation and carry it off tribal land, calling cannabis a “poison” and saying non-tribal consumers do so “at their own peril”. In response, the Omaha Tribe’s Attorney General John Cartier blasted those remarks as misinformation, asserting the state “cannot dictate our internal licensing” and vowing to defend the tribe’s sovereignty “through all available means”. He noted that Nebraska voters “overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis” in a recent vote (though implementation stalled) and argued the tribe’s regulated sales would serve patients and economic development. This dispute underscores the legal grey area as tribes move to legalize cannabis in prohibition states - and it may set the stage for a major courtroom showdown over jurisdiction and tribal rights.

  6. US Sentencing Reform Eases Drug Penalties - Nov 9, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (U.S. Law) - New amendments to federal sentencing guidelines took effect, softening penalties for low-level drug offenses. The U.S. Sentencing Commission’s changes cap the guideline level for minor drug trafficking roles at 32, equivalent to about a 10-22 year range - whereas previously couriers and street-level dealers could face higher levels (and even life sentences) due to drug quantity. Now, defendants who were mere couriers, lookouts, or user-level distributors can receive an “mitigating role” adjustment that lowers their sentencing range. The goal is to reduce punishments for the lowest-level offenders who often got decades in prison under weight-based guidelines. Advocates note this reform will especially benefit those prosecuted for transporting marijuana and other drugs at the bottom of the supply chain. The Commission is also considering making the change retroactive, which could shorten sentences for thousands of incarcerated people.

  7. Alcohol Industry Fights Hemp THC Ban - Nov 6, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (U.S. Business) - A coalition of over 50 major beer, wine, and spirits distributors urged Congress not to ban intoxicating hemp products. In a letter to lawmakers, the alcohol wholesalers argued that consumer demand for hemp-derived THC (like delta-8) has grown as “demand for alcohol has shifted downward” in recent years. Banning these products, they warned, would push sales underground and hurt legitimate businesses. Instead, the distributors - which include state beer alliances - offered to work on regulating and taxing hemp cannabinoids, as they do with alcohol. They likened the situation to Prohibition, noting that illicit markets flourished until alcohol was regulated post-1933. This pushback from alcohol interests highlights an emerging rivalry between industries, as Big Alcohol both fears competition from cannabis and sees opportunity in the hemp/cannabis beverage space. Congress ultimately included the ban in its budget bill despite such protests, setting the stage for legal challenges and calls for a more nuanced regulatory approach.

  8. New Governors Signal Cannabis Reform - Nov 5, 2025 - Cannabis Business Times (U.S. Policy) - The off-year elections also saw local shifts: in Kentucky, voters re-elected Gov. Andy Beshear (Democrat), who implemented the state’s new medical cannabis law and promised to oversee its rollout in 2025. Beshear touted that 15,000 patients have already registered for Kentucky’s program set to launch by year’s end. He noted 500+ doctors authorized to recommend cannabis and celebrated the first cannabis harvests by licensed growers. Meanwhile, in Ohio, a marijuana legalization initiative was gearing up for the 2026 ballot after submitting over 675,000 signatures (per campaign reports). And in Pennsylvania, newly inaugurated Gov. Josh Shapiro included adult-use cannabis legalization in his 2025 agenda, pushing the Republican-led legislature to consider it for the economic and social benefits. These developments indicate continued momentum for cannabis reform, even in more conservative states, driven by public opinion and neighboring states’ policy changes.

  9. Massachusetts Eyes Cannabis Use for First Responders - Nov 4, 2025 - Marijuana Moment (U.S. Policy) - A bill in Massachusetts advanced that seeks to study and remove barriers to cannabis use for police, firefighters, and other first responders. The legislature’s Joint Cannabis Policy Committee approved the measure to examine drug testing rules and employment policies that currently punish off-duty cannabis use by first responders. It also tasks regulators with reviewing how other states handle cannabis use by law enforcement and “safety-sensitive” workers. Advocates say Massachusetts’ legalization (in 2016) should extend to those who risk their lives on the job, especially given the rising PTSD and anxiety in those professions. The bill’s progress reflects a growing recognition that zero-tolerance workplace rules may need updating in the post-legalization era. A separate bill to protect all legal off-duty cannabis use from employer discrimination is also under consideration, as lawmakers balance public safety concerns with personal rights in the legal cannabis age.

  10. Czech Republic Embraces Medical Cannabis (International Insight) - Nov 5, 2025 - InternationalCBC / Tschechien News - Looking abroad for perspective, the Czech Republic reported record medical cannabis usage in 2025 after expanding its program. Over 41,000 prescriptions were issued in the first 9 months of 2025 (up 6,000 from the same period in 2024) as general practitioners joined specialists in prescribing cannabis for conditions like cancer, MS, HIV, and chronic pain. The country allows insurance reimbursement for up to 30 g per month, making access affordable. Notably, Czech lawmakers have also legalized adult home-cultivation (up to 3 plants) and possession of 100 g, set to take effect January 1, 2026. The Czech experience—higher patient uptake once regulations eased and a pragmatic approach to personal use—is informing debates in U.S. states about medical access and homegrown allowances. It underscores how sensible regulations can safely broaden patient access without the sky falling, an outcome U.S. reformers point to in advocacy for similar policies.

International (Excl. US/Canada)

  1. Thailand Reverses Course on Cannabis - Nov 2025 - Thai Examiner / Reuters (Thailand) - Thailand’s new government recriminalized recreational cannabis, ending the short-lived weed boom. Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed an order (effective Nov 11, 2025) reclassifying cannabis flower as a controlled herb - prescription-only. The sweeping crackdown forces most of Thailand’s 18,000 cannabis shops to shut down or convert to medical clinics. Only patients with medical prescriptions can purchase cannabis in the future. Officials also plan to restore cannabis to the narcotics list, allowing police to arrest once again anyone possessing cannabis outside the strict medical channel. This U-turn comes three years after Thailand became Asia’s first country to decriminalize cannabis in 2022. Citing public concern over youth access, the government has swiftly dismantled the previous free-market experiment. This move has sent Thailand’s nascent industry back underground and drawn disappointment from entrepreneurs and tourists.

  2. Germany Tightens Medical Cannabis Rules - Oct/Nov 2025 - Reuters / Forbes (Germany) - The German government approved a draft law to restrict medical cannabis prescribing and curb booming imports. The amendment (passed by the cabinet in Oct 2025) bans telemedicine cannabis prescriptions and mail-order delivery, requiring in-person doctor visits and dispensing only through pharmacies. Officials acted after legalization of recreational possession (in 2024) triggered a 400% spike in imported cannabis in early 2025. Health Minister Nina Warken said online prescription services were fueling a “massive increase” in cannabis imports and that “political action” was needed. Under the new rules, doctors can still prescribe medical marijuana for genuine patients. Still, the aim is to eliminate easy online access that many young Germans were using to obtain high-THC cannabis under the guise of therapy. The law faces review by parliament and the EU - some analysts warn the ban on telemedicine might conflict with European telehealth regulations - but if fully enacted, it will mark a significant contraction of Germany’s cannabis market even as broader legalization debates continue.

  3. Morocco Makes First Legal Cannabis Export - Aug 2025 (reported Nov) - APA News / ICBC (Morocco/Australia) - Morocco officially entered the international medical cannabis market with its first-ever legal export of cannabis. In August, a 50 kg shipment of Moroccan-grown medical cannabis flower (local strain “Beldiya”) was exported to Australia for processing. This milestone follows Morocco’s 2021 decision to legalize cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial use. The state cannabis agency licensed several farmer cooperatives, and after quality testing a pilot batch in June, the full export was approved in mid-2025. Researchers note Morocco’s indigenous cannabis strains show chemical stability across harvests, an advantage for producing consistent medical products. Long one of the world’s top producers of illicit hashish, Morocco is now leveraging its expertise into the legal market. Officials project the industry could reach $420-$630 million annually and provide a new lifeline for traditional cannabis-farming communities.

  4. Czech Republic Cannabis Use at All-Time High (Legally) - Nov 5, 2025 - Czech News / InternationalCBC (Czechia) - New data show record numbers of Czech patients using medical cannabis in 2025, after policy changes improved access. From January to September 2025, doctors issued over 41,000 cannabis prescriptions - an increase of 6,000 compared to the same period in 2024. Around 3,800 patients per month are now obtaining medical cannabis for conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV, and chronic pain. The surge follows Czechia’s decision to allow general practitioners to prescribe cannabis (previously, only specialists could) and a 90% insurance reimbursement for patients, making treatment affordable. Since legal sales began in 2014, a cumulative 1,109 kg of medical cannabis has been dispensed, with nearly 30% of that in just the first 9 months of 2025. The Czech Republic has also legalized home cultivation (up to 3 plants) and possession of 100 g, with the changes set to take effect on January 1, 2026. This progressive stance places Czechia at the forefront of cannabis policy in Europe, demonstrating how easing restrictions can safely broaden patient access.

  5. UK Report Urges Growth of Cannabis Sector - Nov 8, 2025 - UK Parliament APPG Report / InternationalCBC (United Kingdom) - A new cross-party parliamentary report in Britain warns the UK is “at risk of missing out” on the benefits of a rapidly developing global cannabis industry. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Medical Cannabis found that seven years after the UK legalized medical use (2018), over 1.4 million patients still rely on illicit cannabis for medical needs due to limited legal access. Only an estimated 75,000 patients have obtained legal private prescriptions, and shockingly, only six patients have received medical cannabis through the National Health Service to date. The APPG’s report - titled “Recommendations for Government” - calls for urgent reforms: expanding NHS coverage, streamlining onerous guidelines, funding clinician training, and embracing the industry’s economic potential (valued at £7-10 billion annually, with 100,000+ jobs). It notes Britain’s cautious approach and “bureaucratic hurdles” have left it lagging behind countries like Germany and Canada. Without action, the UK may forfeit patient health benefits and lucrative business opportunities in what could be a significant future industry. Lawmakers are pressing the government to heed the report’s recommendations to jump-start the UK’s cannabis sector.

  6. Colombia Approves Cannabis Flower Sales for Patients - Nov 2, 2025 - Blu Radio / InternationalCBC (Colombia) - The Colombian government issued Decree 1138 of 2025, legalizing the use and sale of raw cannabis flower for medical purposes, a significant expansion of patient access. Until now, Colombia’s 2017 medical cannabis law allowed only oils and extracts - forcing some patients to obtain unprocessed flower on the illicit market. Under the new decree, licensed pharmacies and dispensaries can sell cannabis buds to patients with a medical prescription. The flower can be dispensed as medicine or used to prepare personalized tinctures, creams, and other treatments with health authority approval. The reform also streamlines licensing for small and mid-sized growers, enabling local cultivators (including indigenous and farming communities) to supply this new legal market with state support. Lawmakers hailed the move as overdue progress - “good progress” that will help patients - but emphasized it “does not replace the need to regulate adult-use cannabis” for the general population. Colombia’s Congress narrowly failed to legalize recreational use earlier this year, but President Gustavo Petro continues to urge full legalization, framing it as essential to peace and economic development.

  7. Record 244 Million Global Cannabis Users - UN Report - June 26, 2025 (UNODC) - UN World Drug Report 2025 - The United Nations’ annual drug report revealed that cannabis remains the world’s most used illicit drug, with an estimated 244 million users in 2023. This figure represents about 4.6% of the global population aged 15-64 who used cannabis at least once in the past year. Cannabis far outpaces the following most common drugs (61 million opioid users, 30.7 million amphetamine users). The UN Office on Drugs and Crime noted that global cannabis consumption has risen over the past decade (up from ~5.2% of adults in 2013 to 6.0% in 2023). The report attributed rising drug use, including cannabis, partly to “global instability” and stressed the need for prevention and treatment services. It also highlighted increasingly potent cannabis products in some markets and ongoing debates over public health. The statistic - nearly a quarter-billion cannabis users worldwide - underlines the sheer scale of demand and has been cited by reform advocates as further evidence that a regulated approach is needed internationally, since prohibition has not curtailed usage.

  8. Zimbabwe Begins Manufacturing Cannabis Medicines - Sept 2025 - Reuters / Ganjapreneur (Zimbabwe) - Zimbabwe, which legalized medical cannabis in 2018, announced that three local pharmaceutical firms have started manufacturing cannabis-based medicines for domestic and export markets. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe approved the production of cannabis medications five years after the country first licensed 60 cultivators. Zimbabwe’s government has actively promoted cannabis (locally called mbanje) as a new cash crop to replace declining tobacco earnings. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said Zimbabwe could capture a US$1 billion market share in cannabis long-term, eventually outpacing tobacco as its top export. In 2021, Zimbabwe exported 30 tons of industrial hemp to Switzerland, and in 2022, it opened a $27 million medical cannabis farm with a UK-based firm. The start of local medicine manufacturing, including processing flowers into oils and capsules, marks a significant milestone. It should boost Zimbabwe’s value-added exports and demonstrate how African nations are seeking to monetize cannabis reform. Officials have set up Special Economic Zones for cannabis and are courting foreign investment, under the mantra “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” in the cannabis sector.

  9. France Extends Medical Cannabis Trial, Lays Groundwork for Sector - Nov 2025 - Le Monde / Al Jazeera (France) - The French government quietly extended its national medical cannabis pilot program as it prepares legislation to formalize patient access. Since 2021, France has run a limited trial allowing about 2,000 patients with severe conditions (like epilepsy, chemo-related pain, MS) to use free medical cannabis supplied by licensed companies. Originally set to end in March 2024, the trial was extended into 2025 while the Health Ministry drafts a comprehensive medical cannabis law. In the meantime, France’s first domestic cultivation and processing of medical cannabis is underway after recent regulatory changes - Corsica saw the planting of France’s inaugural legal cannabis crop for medicine in mid-2025. Officials say a regulated program could launch by 2026, potentially serving 300,000+ patients who currently rely on either the trial or illicit sources. This year, an assembly of French pharmacists and physicians issued guidelines supporting medical cannabis use for a range of conditions, signaling growing acceptance. France’s cautious but deliberate progress suggests Europe’s second-largest economy will eventually unlock a significant new medical cannabis market, though patients and advocates are urging faster action.

  10. Malaysia Opens Door to Medical Cannabis - Mar 2025 - The Star / Malaysian MOH (Malaysia) - In a historic shift, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health announced it is now accepting applications to register cannabis-based medical products. Companies with scientific evidence of a cannabis-derived medicine’s efficacy can seek evaluation and approval for use in Malaysia. This March 2025 policy change - revealed in a parliamentary reply - marks the first time Malaysia has officially opened any pathway for medical cannabis. The country maintains some of the world’s harshest drug laws (including the death penalty for cannabis trafficking), so even this limited step is significant. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin emphasized that products must comply with strict regulations and said the move does not legalize recreational use.

  11. Nevertheless, Malaysian patient groups and MPs hailed it as a “major milestone”. It follows neighboring Thailand’s 2022 decriminalization (which Malaysian officials studied closely) and signals a potential softening in Southeast Asia’s anti-cannabis stance. Observers caution that the process for any product approval will be slow and stringent - likely focusing on non-psychoactive CBD drugs - but Malaysia’s willingness to entertain medical cannabis research and registration is a dramatic development in a region where mere possession of marijuana can still mean severe punishment.

Conclusion: Budget Cuts, But No Lifeline for Cannabis

One of the most telling signals from this week’s global cannabis developments came from Canada’s 2025 federal budget. While Ottawa moved aggressively to slash medical cannabis reimbursements, particularly for veterans, there was no corresponding relief for licensed producers or patients. Despite years of over-taxation, regulatory strain, and market oversaturation, the cannabis industry was notably excluded from any economic support or structural reform.

This sends a strong message: cannabis remains a revenue source for the government, not a sector worthy of reinvestment, at least in the eyes of federal policymakers. As the regulated market struggles to compete with the illicit one, and businesses consolidate or collapse under financial pressure, calls for fair taxation and regulatory modernization are growing louder.

Without urgent policy changes, Canada risks stalling the progress it once led globally. The cannabis industry needs more than compliance; it needs a sustainable path forward.

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