The Cannabis Market Pulse Oct 27th to Nov 2nd 2025

The week of October 27 – November 2, 2025, proved pivotal for the cannabis industry across Canada, the United States, and beyond. In just a few days, cannabis made headlines in law, business, and society, underscoring both how far normalization has come and how many challenges remain. Developments ranged from major policy moves (including an unprecedented Supreme Court petition to challenge federal prohibition in the U.S.) to new insights into public opinion (a Canadian poll highlighted the now-mainstream status of cannabis, with a majority seeing the legal industry as important to the national economy). Taken together, this week's events illustrate a rapidly evolving landscape as cannabis continues its transition from the margins to a regulated, economic force.

Several key themes emerged across regions. Legal reforms were front and center: U.S. states advanced cannabis legislation and expungements even as federal reform stalled, and even foreign leaders urged action (Colombia’s president openly pressed a U.S. candidate to “legalize” cannabis exports like any other good). Industry challenges also came to the forefront, from economic growing pains to disputes over unregulated THC products that spurred calls for stricter oversight. At the same time, enforcement actions and public safety campaigns remained vigorous. Authorities ramped up efforts against illicit trade (Canada’s border agency seized massive illegal shipments despite domestic legalization), and U.S. officials revived drug-war style warnings (the DEA promoted new ads blaming fentanyl-laced marijuana for overdose deaths). These measures show that black-market activity and health concerns are still very much on regulators’ radar, even as legal markets expand.

Notably, a continued tension between federal and local cannabis policies was evident in some jurisdictions. In the U.S., this friction was on full display as state-legal businesses and officials pushed back against federal strictures, from courtroom challenges to prohibition to political sparring over hemp and marijuana regulations. Yet amid these conflicts, there is a growing global momentum toward normalization and regulation. More countries and regions are moving forward with cannabis reforms, building on pioneering examples set by places like Canada and Germany. The worldwide cannabis “freight train,” as one analyst put it, is still moving forward, even if “the tracks aren’t all heading in the same direction,” the overall trend is toward broader acceptance and structured regulation. This week’s top stories capture that dynamic: significant legal changes, ongoing industry hurdles, enforcement crackdowns, shifting public perceptions, and an unmistakable drive worldwide to bring cannabis into the mainstream of law and commerce.

1. BC Cannabis Operations Resume After Strike (Oct 27, 2025), British Columbia reached a tentative deal with its public service union, ending an 8-week strike that had shut down the province’s central cannabis distribution. The BC Liquor Distribution Branch resumed operations on Oct. 27, clearing backlogged orders and restarting wholesale deliveries to private retailers. This resolution restores the legal supply chain after weeks of relying on limited direct-delivery alternatives during the strike.

2. Poll: Canadians See Cannabis as Economic Asset (Oct 29, 2025), A new survey finds nearly 59% of Canadians view the legal cannabis industry as an “important contributor” to the national economy, with strong bipartisan support for bolstering the sector. The Abacus Data survey (commissioned by Organigram) also shows that one-third of Canadian adults used cannabis in the past 6 months. Industry leaders are urging Ottawa to modernize cannabis policies, such as reducing excise taxes and combating the illicit market, in line with public sentiment.

3. Record Cannabis Sales, August Data (Oct 27, 2025), Statistics Canada reported nearly C$498.7 million in legal cannabis sales for August 2025, a record monthly high. This marks a 1.4% increase from July’s sales. Ontario led all provinces with C$197+ million in sales. Year-to-date 2025 sales were up 4.5%, on pace with 2024’s growth. Industry observers note that while sales continue to rise (helped by more stores and lower prices), annual growth has cooled compared to the early years of legalization.

4. 800 kg of Illegal Cannabis Seized in Halifax (Oct 31, 2025), Canadian border agents intercepted an 801.5 kg (1,479-pack) cannabis shipment at the Halifax port, hidden in a sea container declared as wire mesh bins and destined for the UK. The CBSA and RCMP announced they seized the vacuum-sealed half-tonne of dried cannabis (an illicit export, despite domestic legalization) and are continuing to investigate. Officials warned that smuggling cannabis across borders is a serious crime with up to 14-year penalties.

5. High Tide Opens 211th Store (Oct 27, 2025), High Tide Inc., a major cannabis retail chain, expanded its footprint by opening a new Canna Cabana store in Hamilton, Ontario. Adult-use sales began at the location on Oct. 27, bringing High Tide’s total to 211 stores nationwide (89 in Ontario). High Tide’s CEO noted Hamilton is one of its top-performing markets and said the chain’s value-focused model continues to earn customer loyalty. (High Tide is now among Canada’s largest cannabis retailers.)

6. Cannabis Poll Highlights Usage & Support (Nov 2, 2025), A national survey by Abacus Data found 35% of Canadian adults report using cannabis in the past six months. It also revealed majority support for pro-industry reforms: 59% say the legal cannabis sector is vital to the economy, and about 3 in 5 favor modernizing regulations to spur growth. The poll’s findings, including broad acceptance across age groups and political lines, underscore how normalized cannabis has become seven years post-legalization.

7. Ontario Cannabis Retail Facing Saturation (Oct 28, 2025), Ontario’s cannabis store boom has hit a plateau. Annual data show nearly as many stores closed as opened in 2024. A Spiritleaf franchisee warns that small retailers are struggling with thin margins, illicit competition, lack of bank financing, and high compliance costs. The Ontario Cannabis Store reports 214 shops closed last year (+52% YoY), even as 234 opened. Industry advocates are urging Ontario to crack down on unlicensed dispensaries and support legal operators to prevent a market shakeout.

8. Study: Youth Cannabis Use Declines (Oct 31, 2025), New Canadian research offers encouraging news: adolescent cannabis use has decreased in the years since legalization. A McGill-led study of high schoolers across five provinces found overall youth usage rates fell compared to pre-legalization, with especially low use (5.2%) among the most school-engaged teens. However, the study (in the journal Addictive Behaviors) cautions that changing risk perceptions means that prevention programs must evolve. Researchers identified specific higher-risk youth subgroups and stressed the need for targeted education to address problematic use.

9. Crime Down with Legalization (Oct 30, 2025), Police-reported drug crime in Canada has dropped 31% since 2019, a decline attributed mainly to cannabis legalization. A new Statistics Canada report shows cannabis offenses (mostly possession cases) plummeted, from ~70,000 cases in 2014 to under 17% of all drug crimes by 2024. While overall drug incidents ticked up in 2024 (due to opioids and cocaine), the long-term trend is downward. Legalization shifted police focus to illicit production and trafficking rather than simple possession, and drastically reduced cannabis arrests.

10. German Firm Enters Canadian Market (Oct 20, 2025), International note: Google selected Canada for a pilot program allowing ads for cannabis products, a move expected to boost industry marketing. (Additionally, Canada’s appeal as a global cannabis leader was highlighted by SYNBIOTIC SE, a European company, which acquired a 51% stake in a Canadian producer.) These developments reinforce Canada’s status as a mature cannabis market attracting foreign investment and innovative projects.

United States (Top 10 Stories)

1. Supreme Court Takes Up Cannabis & Gun Rights (Oct 27, 2025), The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear United States v. Hemani, a case challenging the federal ban on gun ownership by cannabis users. At issue is whether 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(3), which prohibits firearm possession by anyone “unlawfully using” a controlled substance, violates the Second Amendment. Lower courts are split. The Court’s eventual ruling (expected in 2026) could affect millions of cannabis consumers’ gun rights. Legal analysts note the justices’ decision to review this reflects the growing tension between state-legal marijuana use and federal firearms law.

2. Target’s THC Drink Pilot Draws Shoppers (Oct 31, 2025). Target began quietly selling hemp-derived THC beverages at select Minnesota stores, and it’s paying off. In a new NuggMD poll, 50.5% of cannabis consumers say Target’s move makes them more likely to shop there. The retailer’s pilot (10 stores, per state law) offers low-dose THC drinks. Over 34% of respondents said they’d shop at Target if their local store carried the drinks, and 16% were more supportive regardless. Advocates call Target’s entry a milestone for normalizing cannabis products in mainstream retail, while Congress still debates stricter hemp-derived THC regulations.

3. Ohio Lawmakers Clash on Legalization Rollback (Oct 30, 2025), Ohio’s legislature is split over efforts to scale back the state’s new voter-approved marijuana legalization. The Ohio House passed amendments to SB 56 that would impose additional limits on adult-use cannabis and ban unregulated hemp THC sales, alarming advocates. But the Ohio Senate unanimously rejected the House changes 32–0, sending the bill to a conference committee. Senators objected to the House’s hemp provisions, which they argue fail to close Delta-8 loopholes and could undermine the voter mandate from 2023’s legalization initiative. The standoff leaves the future regulatory framework —ranging from potency limits to tax rates —uncertain as Ohio’s adult-use market prepares to launch.

4. Cannabis Company Sues DoorDash and Retailers (Oct 28, 2025), Jushi Holdings, a multistate operator, filed a lawsuit in Virginia accusing DoorDash, Total Wine, and others of illegally selling high-THC hemp “edibles” outside the regulated market. The suit claims these businesses conspired to flout Virginia’s 2mg THC-per-package cap by marketing potent gummies and vapes as “hemp” products. Jushi argues this undermines the state’s medical program and calls the hemp-derived items “unregulated and illegal” marijuana in disguise. The case, one of the first of its kind, highlights growing friction between licensed cannabis operators and the booming gray market for Delta-8/Delta-9 THC products sold via delivery apps and retail chains.

5. Judge Extends Ban on Ohio’s Hemp Ban (Oct 28, 2025), An Ohio judge prolonged a temporary restraining order blocking Governor Mike DeWine’s attempt to ban Delta-8 THC and other “intoxicating hemp” products. Franklin County Judge Carl Aveni first froze the ban on Oct. 14 and has now extended that freeze until Dec. 2. This means Ohio’s 4,000+ retailers can continue selling hemp-derived edibles and vapes through the fall. DeWine’s 90-day emergency order had sought to crack down on high-THC hemp items being sold outside dispensaries. The ongoing lawsuit will determine whether the state can enforce the ban or whether hemp operators and consumers win a reprieve through the holidays.

6. Kansas Residents Favor Legalization, Poll (Oct 28, 2025), A new Kansas survey found 59% support for legalizing recreational marijuana and 70% support for medical cannabis. The annual FHSU Kansas Speaks poll shows solid majorities of Democrats and Independents back reform, while even 49% of Republicans favor adult-use legalization. Bipartisan support was stronger for medical: ~3 in 4 across party lines want it legal. Advocates in Kansas, one of the few states without a medical program, hailed the results as proof that public opinion is far ahead of the legislature. They argue the data will put pressure on state lawmakers (who have stalled past medical marijuana bills) to act in 2026.

7. 39 Attorneys General Urge Federal Hemp Crackdown (Oct 27, 2025), A bipartisan coalition of 39 state and territory attorneys general pressed Congress to ban or regulate high-THC hemp products nationally. In a letter to House and Senate leaders, the AGs warn that the 2018 Farm Bill’s definition of legal hemp (0.3% THC) is being “grievously exploited” to sell synthetic THC gummies and vapes to kids. They urge Congress to amend federal law, via the Farm Bill or appropriations, to clarify that intoxicating hemp derivatives are illegal. The letter (led by the attorneys general of Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, and Minnesota) underscores growing state-level alarm over unregulated Delta-8/Delta-10 THC products and calls for swift federal action to stop the “nationwide threat” they pose.

8. Mike Tyson Lobbies Pennsylvania on Cannabis (Oct 30, 2025), Mike Tyson, the ex-heavyweight champ turned cannabis entrepreneur, visited Harrisburg to advocate for legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania. Tyson met with Governor Josh Shapiro and lawmakers, touting the benefits of a regulated market and sharing how cannabis helped him overcome addictions. “Iron Mike” aims to expand his Tyson 2.0 brand and told reporters he wants to ensure consumers receive a safe, lab-tested product rather than illicit weed. Pennsylvania’s legislature is currently debating adult-use legalization, and Tyson’s high-profile appearance brought added buzz to the reform effort as it “heats up” in the battleground state.

9. Marijuana Rescheduling Still Stalled (Oct 2025), Federal policy update: Hopes for U.S. cannabis rescheduling (from Schedule I to III) remain in limbo. Despite President Trump’s August pledge to act “within weeks,” no decision came by late October. Senate Democrats, including Finance Chair Ron Wyden, blasted the delay, noting rescheduling would ease 280E tax burdens and expand research. The DEA continues its formal review of the HHS recommendation to move marijuana to Schedule III. In Congress, reformers are frustrated that administrative action has stalled, even as bipartisan bills like the SAFER Banking Act inch forward. (This reflects an ongoing federal stalemate, with 2025 ending much as it began, with promises of change, but prohibition still intact at the federal level.)

10. Industry Lawsuit Seeks FDA CBD Rules (Oct 2025): A coalition of CBD/hemp companies filed suit to force the FDA to regulate CBD in foods and supplements finally. The lack of clear FDA rules since hemp was legalized in 2018 has left the $5 billion CBD market in a gray zone. Companies argue the FDA’s delay is “arbitrary and unlawful,” stifling a wellness industry and confusing consumers. They are asking the courts to compel the agency to approve CBD products under reasonable safety standards. (FDA officials have maintained that new legislation from Congress may be needed to establish a regulatory pathway for CBD.) This legal action highlights the hemp industry’s impatience for guidance on issues like labeling, dosing, and marketing of cannabidiol products.

International (Top 10 Stories)

1. Colombia Greenlights Cannabis Flower Sales (Oct 27, 2025). Colombia took a significant step by authorizing pharmacies to sell cannabis flower for medical use with a prescription. A new decree (No. 1138) allows licensed dispensaries to finally offer dried flower to patients, not just oils or extracts. This policy change, hailed by lawmakers as “good progress”, will fully integrate Colombia’s burgeoning medical cannabis program into patient care. Small and medium growers are also being included via simplified licensing, aiming to bring traditional growers into the legal supply chain. Advocates, however, continue to push for adult-use legalization in Colombia, which remains pending in Congress.

2. Zurich Extends Regulated Cannabis Pilot (late Oct 2025), Switzerland’s largest city, Zürich, moved to extend its recreational cannabis pilot program through 2028, as initial results are positive. The “Züri Can” trial, launched in 2022, allows over 2,300 registered adults to legally purchase cannabis from designated clubs and pharmacies for study purposes. City officials applied to federal authorities to extend the project (initially 4 years) by an additional 3 years. The pilot’s goal is to research the health and social impacts of a regulated cannabis supply. An extension indicates confidence in the controlled-market approach as Switzerland weighs broader reform. Several other Swiss cities (Basel, Bern, Geneva) are conducting similar trials, which could inform a potential nationwide legalization down the line.

3. £14M of Cannabis Seized on Flights from Thailand (Nov 1, 2025), UK authorities charged 11 people in a massive cannabis smuggling scheme involving suitcases flown in from Thailand. British border agents at Birmingham Airport in 2024 had confiscated over half a tonne (500+ kg) of vacuum-packed cannabis buds hidden in 22 checked bags. After a year-long investigation, nine suspects (aged 21–35) appeared in court on Oct. 31, 2025, and two more were charged, all accused of being drug “mules” recruited to traffic high-grade cannabis from Thailand to the UK. (Five additional men believed to be the UK-based organizers remain under investigation.) The National Crime Agency noted that since Thailand legalized cannabis, smuggling from Southeast Asia to Europe has spiked, with gangs exploiting the perception of Thai cannabis as high-quality and profiting off UK street demand. This case, including a former English pro footballer convicted earlier for a similar plot, underscores how legalization in one country can reverberate illicitly abroad.

4. German Greens Propose Hemp Law Reforms (Nov 1, 2025). In Germany, lawmakers from the Green Party introduced a bill to boost the domestic industrial hemp industry. The draft would raise the THC limit for hemp from 0.3% to 1.0% and remove an “intoxication clause” that has hindered the use of hemp biomass. It also aims to legalize indoor hemp cultivation and clarify that low-THC hemp is not a narcotic. European hemp companies, like Munich-based SYNBIOTIC SE, applauded the measure as fostering innovation and competitiveness. The proposal argues that with adult-use cannabis legalization advancing (Germany began allowing two pilot provinces to sell recreational cannabis in 2024), the old constraints on hemp are outdated. If adopted, Germany’s hemp farmers could grow higher-THC varietals (up to 1%), like those in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, potentially expanding production of hemp foods, fibers, and wellness products.

5. Costa Rica Moves on Recreational Cannabis (late Oct 2025), Costa Rica’s government signaled support for legalizing adult-use marijuana. President Rodrigo Chaves’ administration had earlier presented a bill (Expediente No. 23.383) to legalize recreational cannabis under a regulated framework. The goal is to take the cannabis trade out of criminal hands, tax it, and create new jobs. “It’s no secret that cannabis is consumed in Costa Rica,” President Chávez said, arguing regulation is smarter than prohibition. As of October, the bill, first introduced in 2022 and reiterated in Chávez’s 100-day speech, faced delays in the Legislative Assembly amid some opposition. However, recent public debates and a regional trend toward reform (neighboring Panama and Jamaica have medical programs) give supporters hope that Costa Rica could become the next Latin American nation to permit recreational use, following Uruguay and Mexico. (Medical cannabis is already legal in Costa Rica as of 2022.)

6. UK: Ex-Arsenal Player Jailed for Smuggling (June 2025, surfaced Oct 2025). In a related UK enforcement story, former Arsenal footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was sentenced to 4 years in prison for orchestrating a scheme to recruit couriers to smuggle cannabis from Thailand. Two women were caught at Stansted Airport in 2024 with 30 kg of cannabis in luggage after Emmanuel-Thomas arranged their trip. His conviction (in June) and others were highlighted in the news around early November as the NCA warned Brits not to act as “drug mules” for quick cash. Separately, a 19-year-old British woman was arrested in Tbilisi, Georgia, in May 2025 with 14 kg of cannabis after traveling in Southeast Asia; her family paid ~£138,000 in a plea deal to reduce a potential 20-year sentence. These cases underscore the international risks young people take in smuggling, and how legalization in source countries (Thailand) is feeding black markets elsewhere.

7. France Prepares National Medical Cannabis Rollout (Oct 2025). France is finalizing plans to integrate medical cannabis into its national health system by early 2026. After a multi-year pilot program, French regulators submitted a framework to the EU and cleared the required review period. The High Health Authority (HAS) has mapped out how doctors will prescribe cannabis-based medicines for severe conditions (like refractory epilepsy, cancer pain, MS spasticity) as a last resort. Uniquely, France will treat medical cannabis strictly like a pharmaceutical product: only licensed pharmacy operators can supply it, and smokable flower will be limited to sealed vape cartridges (no loose buds). By late October, the French State Council was reviewing final texts and determining insurance reimbursement rates. Barring any delays, France is on track to begin a complete medical cannabis program in 2026, a significant shift for a country with historically strict drug laws.

8. Thailand’s Cannabis Policy at Crossroads (Oct 2025), Thailand, which made headlines by decriminalizing cannabis in 2022, is experiencing policy whiplash under a new government. The new prime minister and health ministry have signaled plans to rein in Thailand’s free-wheeling cannabis market and refocus on medical use only. By late October, draft legislation was being prepared to reclassify cannabis as a controlled substance (undoing its current off-list status) and impose tighter rules on recreational sale. In the meantime, Thai cannabis tourism continues, evidenced by the UK citing Thailand as a top source of trafficked cannabis, but uncertainty looms. Many small cannabis cafes and vendors in Thailand face ambiguity about whether a crackdown is coming. The Thai public remains split: polls show support for medical cannabis and regulated recreational use, but conservative factions and neighboring countries have pressured Thailand to curb what they see as an overly lax approach. How Thailand resolves this (whether by passing a new Cannabis Act or maintaining the status quo) will have implications throughout Asia, as no other country in the region has gone as far as Thailand.

9. Germany Boosts Medical Cannabis Imports (Oct 23, 2025). To meet rising patient demand, Germany’s BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs) raised the annual medical cannabis import quota by 70 tonnes, bringing it to 192.5 tonnes per year. Germany had paused new import licenses in September after hitting its previous quota (122 tons) early. By resuming imports, Germany, Europe’s largest medical cannabis market, signaled that consumption is growing steadily even as domestic production slowly ramps up. In the first half of 2025, Germany imported over 59 tonnes, with nearly half coming from Canada. (Canadian firms Tilray and Aurora are among the few licensed German growers as well.) Notably, this import boost comes while Germany’s government simultaneously pursues tighter medical cannabis rules, including ending telehealth prescriptions and mail-order pharmacy sales, a proposal criticized by patient groups. The import increase underscores that Germany’s medical demand continues to outpace supply, necessitating more foreign cannabis even amid regulatory shifts.

10. Barbados Cracks Down on Cannabis Trafficking (Oct 26, 2025), Barbados Police arrested a 61-year-old Canadian man on cannabis trafficking charges, in an international drug bust announced on social media. The Royal Barbados Police Force said the man was charged with possession, trafficking, and intent to supply, after being caught on October 26 with a quantity of cannabis. The case highlights the Caribbean island’s continued strict enforcement of drug laws, even as some neighbors like St. Vincent and Jamaica embrace medical or sacramental cannabis use. Barbados has a medicinal cannabis regime on paper (established in 2019), but it tightly controls recreational use. Authorities there warned that foreigners attempting to smuggle or sell cannabis will be prosecuted, a reminder that legalization in one’s home country (Canada in this suspect’s case) is irrelevant in jurisdictions where cannabis is still illegal. The Canadian national awaits trial in Barbados and could face hefty fines or imprisonment if convicted.

    
    

The week from October 27 to November 2, 2025, highlighted the dual nature shaping the cannabis industry: one of growing normalization and the other of complex regulatory challenges. From Supreme Court actions and record-setting sales to policy changes in Europe and Latin America, cannabis continues to be a dynamic and influential force in global markets. Stakeholders at all levels, policymakers, industry leaders, health advocates, and consumers, are increasingly active in shaping its future.

However, progress is not guaranteed. As enforcement efforts and political gridlock clash with economic potential and rising public support, urgent, unified leadership is essential. Whether tackling the hemp loophole in the U.S., aligning licensing systems in Canada, or supporting emerging international markets, the message is clear: now is the time for reforms that are consistent, fair, and evidence based.

This is more than just a moment of change; it’s a test of vision. Let’s approach it with clarity and courage.