The Cannabis Market Pulse Oct 13th to 19th

This week’s cannabis news highlights just how dynamic and far-reaching the industry has become, and over the week of October 13–19, 2025, top stories from Canada, the United States, and around the world spanned everything from high-stakes law and policy shifts to major business moves, health and research breakthroughs, enforcement crackdowns, and cultural milestones. It’s a showcase of cannabis touching all corners of society, law, policy, business, health, research, enforcement, and culture, reflecting an era where regulation and innovation are evolving hand-in-hand.

Region by region, the diversity of developments underlines the growing complexity of cannabis regulation worldwide and the uneven pace of reform. In Canada, now several years into nationwide legalization, the focus is on fine-tuning a maturing market, tackling distribution challenges, and exploring new sales models like farmgate retail while navigating community-specific regulations. In the United States, a patchwork of progress and tension is on display: one U.S. senator’s call for a unified federal framework and cannabis tax comes as state-level authorities impose strict new rules on unregulated THC products (Ohio’s governor even halted hemp-derived THC sales amid safety concerns cannatechtoday.com). At the same time, big-box retail has dipped its toes into the industry, for example, Target’s decision to sell THC-infused drinks in select stores, signaling cannabis’s mainstream crossover. Internationally, the momentum varies dramatically by country. Some governments are tightening oversight in response to booming demand, Germany, for instance, moved to restrict online cannabis sales after a surge in use post-legalization, even as new markets open up elsewhere and global companies expand into fresh territories (such as Canadian firm Tilray’s entry into Panama’s medical cannabis market).

Taken together, this week’s developments capture an industry in flux and a world grappling with how to integrate cannabis. For industry professionals, regulators, advocates, and curious observers, these stories aren’t just isolated headlines; they reflect larger trends shaping the cannabis landscape. From the balancing act between public safety and market growth to the race among regions to reform (or retrench), the cannabis conversation is more complex and global than ever. This introduction sets the stage for our deep dive into the Top 10 stories per region, where we explore why each development is especially noteworthy and what it signifies for the future of cannabis.

Canada (Top 10 Cannabis News: Oct 13–19, 2025)

1. P.E.I. to Legalize Cannabis Vape Products Amid Health Concerns, Oct 16, 2025. Prince Edward Island is set to allow pre-filled cannabis vape products for the first time, making it the last Canadian province to do so. The move, enabled by legislative changes, has sparked worries among health officials and police, who caution about potential risks to youth and public health.

2. “Will Canada Lead or Lag in Global Medical Cannabis Trade?”, Oct 13, 2025. In a Globe and Mail commentary, Rick Savone (Aurora Cannabis executive) argues Canada’s early lead as the first G20 nation to legalize cannabis is slipping. Cannabis contributed $76.5 billion to Canada’s GDP and 98,000+ jobs since legalization, yet outdated export barriers hinder Canadian firms. He urges a national cannabis export strategy so Canada can capitalize on rising worldwide medical demand.

3. Canopy Growth Refocuses on Medical Cannabis, Oct 13, 2025. Yahoo Finance: Canopy Growth announced a strategic shift to bolster its medical cannabis business. The company is dedicating its Kelowna “DOJA” facility exclusively to grow small-batch cannabis for its Spectrum Therapeutics medical brand. Executives say this renewed focus on Canada’s medical market comes amid a volatile year for Canopy, whose stock had fallen over 50% year-to-date.

4. BC Industry Reels from Strike, Calls for Relief, Oct 17, 2025. A coalition of B.C. hospitality, liquor, and cannabis industry groups urged emergency action as an ongoing public service strike paralyzed liquor and cannabis distribution. The strike, in its 7th week, has caused an estimated $10.5 million in losses per day for restaurants and retailers. Business leaders warned that prolonged supply disruptions are “devastating” and asked the province for interim measures to save jobs and prevent product spoilage.

5. Mi’kmaw Community Protests Cannabis Bylaw, Oct 15, 2025. Members of Membertou First Nation (Cape Breton, NS) held a peaceful protest against a proposed band bylaw that would give the band council control over on-reserve cannabis shops. Protesters argue the measure infringes on Indigenous autonomy. Membertou’s Chief and Council say they are developing their own cannabis law to regulate sales on the reserve, seeking a balance between community safety and economic opportunity.

6. Quebec Cannabis Use Drops to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Oct 17, 2025. A Quebec government survey shows cannabis consumption in Quebec has declined slightly after peaking during COVID. 16.9% of Quebecers (15+) used cannabis in 2025, down from 18.1% in 2024, returning to about 2019 rates. The decrease is sharpest among youth 15–20 (usage fell from 21.9% to 19.4%). Officials say the trend suggests post-pandemic normalization, even as SQDC (the provincial retailer) reported rising sales due to new stores and product offerings.

7. Google Expands Cannabis Ads Pilot in Canada, Oct 15, 2025. Google broadened its Canadian cannabis advertising pilot program to include provincially run cannabis retailers in addition to licensed producers. The limited pilot (running on Google Search since Aug 25, 2025) lets compliant cannabis businesses search ads —a first for Google. Officials say the expansion, which allows authorized government cannabis sellers to participate, will run for 20 weeks and help inform future ad policy.

8. OPP Busts Illegal Grow with 8,100 Plants in Ontario, Oct 16, 2025. Ontario Provincial Police seized a massive haul of cannabis in Tiny Township, ON, finding 8,100 illicit plants and 762 lbs of dried cannabis at a rural grow-op. Six people on-site were arrested (later released pending investigation), and more suspects are sought. Police allege a small licensed medical grow was used as cover to produce far beyond legal limits, with the bust valued at ~$9.5 million.

9. Manitoba Reports $47 Million Cannabis Profit, Oct 19, 2025. Manitoba’s provincial liquor and lotteries corporation (MBLL) announced it earned $47.3 million in profit from wholesale cannabis sales in fiscal 2024–25, up 20% from the prior year. Cannabis revenue hit $170 million as more stores opened, and cannabis profits in Manitoba now exceed those from lotteries or online gaming. Despite accounting for only ~15% of liquor profits, officials note the legal cannabis market’s steady growth is contributing significant tax and income to provincial coffers.

10. Alberta’s First Cannabis Farm-Gate Store Licensed, Oct 17, 2025. Gorilla Garden Supplies, a micro-cultivator in Okotoks, AB, became the first in Alberta to receive a cannabis “farm-gate” retail licence. This allows the producer to sell cannabis grown on-site directly to consumers at an attached store. Owner Jason Squires plans to open on November 1 with exclusive products not found elsewhere. Alberta is the 4th province to enable farm-gate cannabis sales, following Ontario, New Brunswick, and BC. Advocates say it can boost tourism and give small producers a new revenue stream.

United States (Top 10 Cannabis News: Oct 13–19, 2025)

1. California Governor Vetoes Cannabis Home-Delivery Bill, Oct 14, 2025. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed licensed cannabis microbusinesses in California to ship medical marijuana products directly to patients via carriers like FedEx/UPS. Newsom’s veto message called the proposal “burdensome and overly complex” to administer. Supporters argued the bill would help homebound patients access medicine. Still, the governor noted it was narrowed to exclude patients within 60 miles of a dispensary, questioning how many would truly benefit.

2. Supreme Court Declines One Marijuana Gun Case, Mulls Others, Oct 14, 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear U.S. v. Baxter, a case challenging the federal ban on firearm possession by marijuana users. Both the DOJ and the defendant had advised against proceeding after a lower court reinstated his conviction. However, at least five other Second Amendment challenges to the cannabis gun ban remain pending and were scheduled for the Justices’ private conference that week. Advocates are closely watching a case (U.S. v. Hemani) that DOJ wants the Court to take up, hoping for clarity on whether cannabis consumers’ gun rights can be reconciled with state legalization.

3. Senator Tillis Calls for Federal Cannabis Framework, Oct 14, 2025. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said it’s time for Congress to establish a federal “regulatory construct” for marijuana that aligns with the reality of state legalization. In an interview, Tillis warned the patchwork of state laws “is creating gateways for illicit actors” and endangering public safety. He floated a framework where federal standards (for consumer safety, youth prevention, etc.) would apply, but states could choose to opt in or out. Tillis, who also supports allowing cannabis consumers to own guns on par with alcohol users, suggested Congress enact excise taxes and channel revenue to law enforcement under a legalization model.

4. FBI: 200,000+ Marijuana Arrests in 2024, Oct 15, 2025. The FBI’s latest Crime Report shows police made nearly 204,000 marijuana-related arrests in 2024, the vast majority (187,792) for simple possession. Another ~16,000 people were arrested for cannabis sales or manufacturing. While marijuana busts fell slightly from 2023, cannabis still accounted for 27% of all U.S. drug possession arrests, more than any other substance. Reform advocates note the continuing toll of prohibition, even as state legalizations expand. NORML’s deputy director said the data show “marijuana-related prosecutions remain a primary driver of drug war enforcement” despite recent declines.

5. Ohio’s Ban on Delta-8 THC Products Sparks Pushback, Oct 14, 2025. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a 90-day emergency order banning sales of “intoxicating hemp” products (like Delta-8 THC) outside of licensed dispensaries. The ban, effective Oct 14, aimed to crack down on unregulated THC edibles and vapes being sold at gas stations and smoke shops. Small retailers and hemp wholesalers warned that the sudden prohibition would bankrupt businesses and eliminate jobs. They argue that adult-use marijuana was just legalized by voters (to take effect in 2026), and an interim ban only drives consumers to illicit markets.

6. Judge Blocks Ohio’s Hemp Product Ban, Oct 15, 2025. In a quick legal challenge, an Ohio judge issued a 14-day restraining order pausing Gov. DeWine’s hemp-derived THC ban one day after it took effect. The Franklin County judge agreed with hemp industry plaintiffs that the ban could cause irreparable harm to hundreds of businesses. The TRO temporarily allows stores to resume selling Delta-8 and similar products. The next court hearing was set for Oct 28. In response, Gov. DeWine’s office said it will continue seeking a permanent solution to “dangerous” unregulated cannabinoids, either through the courts or new legislation.

7. Florida Revokes Medical Cannabis Cards for Drug Offenders, Oct 16, 2025. Florida’s health authorities have begun cancelling medical marijuana registrations for any patient or caregiver with a drug-related criminal conviction. This policy, tucked into a budget law signed by Gov. DeSantis earlier in 2025, mandates suspension of a MMJ card as soon as the holder is charged with a state drug trafficking or sales offense. At a legislative hearing, officials said they already identified 20 individuals for immediate revocation and are monitoring ~140 others with pending charges. Regulators claim the rule is about public safety, but patient advocates call it punitive, effectively denying legal cannabis treatment to those with past drug felonies, even if unrelated to cannabis.

8. White House Aide: “Marijuana Reform Is Good Politics,” Oct 16, 2025. A Free Press report quoted an unnamed White House official saying President Trump increasingly views marijuana reform as “good politics” heading into 2026. As Trump considers whether to enact federal rescheduling of cannabis (as recommended by HHS), even some previously staunch opponents in his circle acknowledge public opinion has shifted. The senior aide compared cannabis to gay marriage in how it gained bipartisan acceptance, noting “for a lot of the base, it’s an issue people have gotten comfortable with. It’s good politics”. Some hardliners like aide Stephen Miller remain personally opposed but “recognize the politics favor reform,” seeing that a pro-cannabis stance could benefit Republicans with swing voters.

9. Study: Legal Cannabis Access Reduces Cancer Patients’ Opioid Use, Oct 17, 2025. An AMA-published new survey found that legalizing cannabis (medically or recreationally) is “significantly associated with reduced opioid use” among cancer patients. Researchers analyzed insurance data on 3+ million U.S. cancer patients (2007–2020) and observed notable drops in opioid prescribing rates, average days’ supply, and number of prescriptions once a state opened cannabis dispensaries. The effect was most substantial after medical dispensaries opened (e.g., opioid prescription rate fell by ~41 per 10,000 patients), but also evident with recreational outlets (≈21 per 10k reduction). Authors conclude cannabis availability may serve as a substitute for opioids in managing cancer pain, and urge policymakers to consider these pain-management benefits in cannabis reform.

10. Ohio Senate OKs Bill to Protect Unimpaired Drivers, Oct 16, 2025. The Ohio Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to overhaul how marijuana DUIs are handled, aiming to avoid convicting sober drivers who legally consumed cannabis days prior. The measure would update Ohio’s impaired driving law by moving away from per se THC blood limits (which can ensnare medical patients) and requiring evidence of actual impairment. Bill proponents note that, unlike alcohol’s 0.08% BAC standard, there’s no reliable THC threshold correlating with intoxication, since frequent users can test positive while fully sober. If the law passes the House, Ohio would join states like Michigan in focusing on behavioral sobriety tests and other proof of impairment, rather than arbitrary THC levels, when prosecuting driving under the influence of cannabis.

International (Top 10 Cannabis News: Oct 13–19, 2025)

1. Tilray Expands Medical Cannabis to Panama, Oct 13, 2025 (Panama). Tilray Medical announced plans to enter Panama’s market through a joint venture, marking Panama’s first major medical cannabis operation. The JV, Solana Life Group with local partner Top Tech, has secured a Panamanian license to cultivate, manufacture, import, and sell medical cannabis. Tilray says it will leverage its global expertise to supply high-quality cannabis medicines and training to Panama’s healthcare system. This move strengthens Canada-based Tilray’s footprint in Latin America as countries there cautiously embrace therapeutic cannabis use.

2. Turkish Customs Seize 1.3 Tons of Cannabis at Borders, Oct 18, 2025 (Turkey). Turkey’s Trade Ministry announced that customs intelligence teams seized a combined 1.326 tons of cannabis in two primary operations. In one bust at Tekirdağ’s port on the Sea of Marmara, officers found 1,153 kg of cannabis hidden in incoming cargo; another 173 kg was intercepted at the İpsala land border with Greece. Officials valued the haul at roughly 809 million lira (~USD $19 million). Turkey’s Interior Minister noted that since 2023, the government has seized hundreds of tons of drugs and dismantled dozens of trafficking networks as part of an intensified narcotics crackdown.

3. Zambia Seizes 8 Tonnes of Illicit Cannabis, Oct 16, 2025 (Zambia). Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) conducted raids that netted over eight metric tonnes of cannabis and arrested multiple suspects. The operations, done jointly with police and wildlife authorities, targeted illegal cultivation and trafficking across Eastern Province. Officials also confiscated USD $230,000 in counterfeit notes during the sweeps. The DEC said the proliferation of large-scale illegal grows is alarming and reiterated calls for the public to report drug activities. Zambia has laws permitting limited industrial hemp cultivation, but psychoactive cannabis remains unlawful primarily, leading to frequent busts like this record haul.

4. Scientists Urge Germany to Launch Cannabis Pilot Sales, Oct 14, 2025 (Germany). Leading German researchers are pressing the government to implement the “second pillar” of its cannabis legalization plan, pilot commercial sales, which have stalled 18 months after legalization took effect. Germany legalized adult personal use and home-grow in 2024, but is supposed to test licensed retail through regional pilot projects. None have started, and scientists warn that this delay is hindering critical data collection on public health and safety. In an open letter, they noted that relying only on home cultivation and cannabis clubs is inadequate for research. They’re calling on Berlin to swiftly approve pilot dispensaries so Germany can gather evidence for a fully regulated market, as promised in the 2021 coalition agreement.

5. Brazil’s Supreme Court Effectively Decriminalizes Cannabis, Oct 2025 (Brazil). Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court reached a landmark majority decision affirming that adults cannot be criminally punished for personal cannabis use. In a ruling (finalized in late Sept 2023 and noted in 2025 reports), a majority of justices held Brazilians may possess up to 40 grams of cannabis and grow up to 6 plants for personal use without legal consequence. The court’s stance, comparing cannabis to legally regulated substances, put pressure on Congress to amend Brazil’s drug laws. However, lawmakers have also introduced a bill to counter the ruling by tightly defining “personal use,” which Human Rights Watch and others criticized. The debate continues, but as of 2025, the court’s position stands: personal-scale cannabis possession is not a crime in Brazil.

6. France Integrates Medical Cannabis into Healthcare by 2026, Oct 2025 (France). French authorities have finalized a permanent medical cannabis framework set to fully integrate cannabis-based medicines into the national health system by early 2026. After a multi-year pilot program, France submitted detailed regulations to the EU in March 2025 and cleared the required review. The plan will treat cannabis like any other pharmaceutical: producers must be registered pharma companies, products (limited to forms like oils or sealed vape cartridges, not loose flower) must meet strict quality standards, and prescribing will be initially limited to specialists for severe conditions (like refractory epilepsy, cancer pain, MS). France’s Health Ministry is now working out insurance reimbursement rates and physician training, aiming to have the system operational in 2026, a significant turnaround after years of delays.

7. Australia: Calls to Rein in Boom in Cannabis Telehealth, Oct 15, 2025 (Australia). The Australian Medical Association and Pharmacy Guild issued a joint plea for “urgent action” against the “proliferation of online cannabis clinics” facilitating easy medicinal cannabis access. In a letter to Australia’s health minister, they warned that aggressive telehealth prescribing and direct-to-consumer cannabis dispensing have exploded without proper oversight. One large clinic’s single doctor issued 72,000 cannabis prescriptions in two years. The groups say many patients bypass GPs and get high-THC products through quick telehealth scripts, raising safety concerns. They urge tighter regulations, such as requiring more clinical oversight, limiting long-term use of the special access scheme, and cracking down on misleading marketing, to “protect patients” from profit-driven practices. The Health Minister agreed the situation is “dangerous” and has signaled upcoming reforms to telehealth cannabis standards.

8. Victoria (Australia) Rejects Cannabis Legalization After Inquiry, Oct 16, 2025 (Australia). In Australia, the government of the state of Victoria dismissed recommendations to legalize adult-use cannabis despite a lengthy parliamentary inquiry that advocated reform. On Oct 16, officials confirmed Victoria will not proceed with cannabis legalization, effectively “rejecting cannabis reform after a two-year inquiry.” The inquiry had gathered expert evidence and public input, noting potential economic and social benefits of regulation. However, Victoria’s Labor government cited concerns about mental health and road safety, opting to maintain prohibition. Cannabis advocates in Australia lamented the decision, pointing out that ACT (Canberra) already decriminalized personal possession, and urging Victoria to revisit its stance as public opinion shifts.

9. Turkey Extradites Cannabis Traffickers in Regional Crackdown, Oct 20, 2025 (Middle East/Europe). Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that Turkey secured the extradition of three fugitive drug kingpins, part of its intensified war on narcotics. Though details were scant, Turkish media noted at least one of the returned fugitives was wanted for large-scale cannabis trafficking in the region. This development came on the heels of Turkey’s major cannabis seizures (1.3 tons) earlier in the week and highlights Ankara’s aggressive international cooperation to combat drug networks. Turkey has been working with neighboring countries and Interpol to hunt down cartel leaders as it seeks to choke off supply routes for hashish and other drugs coming through the Middle East to Europe.

10. Zambia Destroys 40+ Tons of Confiscated Cannabis, Oct 17, 2025 (Zambia). Zambia’s DEC not only seizes illegal cannabis but also disposes of it on a massive scale. In mid-October, authorities incinerated 44 tons of freshly cut cannabis plants from a raid on an enormous illegal farm near Chifwema, Kafue (outside Lusaka). Nine people were arrested in that operation. The destruction of the crop, said to be the largest in Zambian history, was meant to prevent the illicit harvest from reaching the market. Zambia’s drug laws remain strict, though the government is reviewing policies to allow controlled cultivation for industrial hemp and possible medical use. The DEC’s public burn of contraband cannabis, along with ongoing arrests, sends a signal that full legalization is not on the immediate horizon in Zambia despite regional trends.

To conclude, the week of October 13–19, 2025, shows that the cannabis landscape remains dynamic and evolving in multiple directions at once. In Canada, the focus is shifting from opening markets to refining existing ones: expanding digital advertising, enabling farm-gate retail, and addressing supply chain disruptions, all signs of a mature industry facing next-stage challenges. In the United States, reform momentum exists, but the path is fragmented: state decisions conflict with federal inertia, new regulatory frameworks are under discussion, and issues like firearm access and THC-product regulation highlight the complexity of balancing public safety and market growth. Internationally, the stories reveal divergence: some regions are expanding medical access and trade (Panama, France), while others are tightening enforcement or delaying adult-use commercialization (Zambia, Turkey, Australia, Germany). These shifts collectively emphasize a global transition, cannabis is moving from the fringes to the mainstream, yet its structure, regulation, and integration into society remain highly varied. For industry players, regulators, and advocates, the lesson is clear: the victories and losses of this week suggest larger policy and market shifts ahead. Whether it’s the push for federal frameworks in the U.S., crackdowns on unregulated products, international trade developments, or proportional regulation in Canada, the stakes are rising. Stay tuned, because given this rapid pace of change, next week could bring even bigger headlines.