The Cannabis Market Pulse Sept 15th to 21st

The past week brought a wave of cannabis developments across Canada, the United States, and international markets, highlighting how dynamic and complex this industry remains. From record-breaking sales and groundbreaking policy changes to regulatory crackdowns and new technology adoption, the headlines reflect both opportunities and ongoing challenges for the global cannabis sector. In Canada, the focus ranged from profitability milestones and compliance updates to local controversies over advertising and public use. South of the border, U.S. states made progress in legalization efforts while federal policy debates grew more intense. Internationally, governments worked to balance reform with restrictions, while new research and economic studies highlighted cannabis’ health risks and potential benefits.

Canada

• High Tide reports profitable Q3 2025 (Sep 15, 2025): High Tide Inc., a leading Canadian cannabis retailer, announced its fiscal Q3 2025 results, reporting $149.7 million in revenue and a net income of $832,000. The quarter was High Tide’s first profitable period, driven by growth in same-store sales across its core retail banners and expansion of its vape and accessory lines.

• Calgary allows cannabis sales at all-ages events (Sep 16, 2025): The City of Calgary passed a bylaw allowing cannabis retailers to sell non-medical cannabis at all-ages public events (in designated “cannabis consumption areas” where minors are not permitted). The change aligns municipal rules with recent provincial regulations and enables qualified retailers to apply to sell at festivals, sports games, and other events. City officials say the move enhances industry opportunities while keeping youth safe protections.

• London, Ontario removes cannabis store mural advertising (Sep 19, 2025): A London city councillor successfully petitioned to remove a large cannabis-themed mural from a storefront, arguing it was advertising that violated city bylaws. The store owner of Your Highness Cannabis defended the mural as artistic expression, but city authorities removed it under a regulatory clause. Store advocates criticized the decision as censorship and pointed out the confusing message, since legally licensed dispensaries often display branding.

• Quebec police seize 1,500+ illegal cannabis plants (Sep 18, 2025): Quebec provincial police raided an illegal indoor cannabis farm, seizing 1,536 plants and 65 kg of dried product. Investigators claim the grow operation was connected to an Asian organized crime network that diverted plants to the illegal market. Two suspects, aged 27 and 34, were arrested. Police noted that the operation used the cover of medicinal supply (“ACMPR growers”) to illegally grow on a large scale, and the bust is part of broader efforts against cross-border activities trafficking.

• Manitoba’s Supercraft partners with Apothecare for patient consultations (Sep 15, 2025): Supercraft Cannabis (Ste. Anne, MB) partnered with Toronto-based Apothecare, a pharmacy-led patient consultation service, to address customers’ medical and drug-interaction questions. Apothecare, operated by pharmacists, will offer on-demand teleconsultations through QR-code links on Supercraft packages. This initiative aims to close an “education gap” for customers, especially older patrons, and marks the first pharmacy partnership of its kind in Manitoba. The effort highlights retailers’ efforts to improve safe consumption guidance within federal legal frameworks limits.

• Aurora Cannabis invests in German GMP facility (Sep 18, 2025): Edmonton-based Aurora Cannabis announced it will invest 7.5 million euros over five years to upgrade its EU-GMP cannabis extraction facility in Leuna, Germany. The upgrades will allow for increased production of purified CBD extract and other ingredients (used in vaporizer oils and edibles), supporting Aurora’s European and global supply chains. Aurora said this investment is part of its strategy to expand profitable product lines and meet the growing EU market demand.

• Tilray’s Broken Coast launches premium BC Selects line (Sep 17, 2025): Tilray Brands’ craft brand Broken Coast introduced a new limited-edition flower line called “BC Selects,” debuting with the strain “Spirits 26” at 28–34% THC. The BC Selects series features select phenotypes (rare plants) from small-batch grows. The first release, Spirits 26, offers high potency through flower and pre-rolls, and will be sold exclusively in British Columbia while supplies last. The launch aims to target premium market demand in Tilray’s home province.

• Health Canada reports 889 cannabis inspections in 2024–25 (Sep 19, 2025): Health Canada’s annual compliance report shows 889 cannabis-related inspections conducted in fiscal 2024–25, including 197 home-grow inspections for medical patients. Inspectors issued 37 non-compliance notices to license-holders (for issues like packaging or GMP failures) and took action on 16 recall notices. The report, presented to Parliament, indicates ongoing regulatory scrutiny; a department spokesperson said enforcement is improving product safety in Canada’s legal system industry.

• B.C. increases 2025/26 cannabis excise tax forecast (Sep 20, 2025): British Columbia’s government revised its financial forecast for the province’s share of federal cannabis excise taxes, increasing it from $110 million to $122 million for the 2025/26 fiscal year. The upward revision reflects stronger-than-expected legal sales and use in B.C. (which levies 15% of the federal excise). The new forecast will enhance the province’s revenue, with cannabis earnings supporting public health and safety programs.

• X-ray decontamination tech lands in Canada (XRPure) (Sep 9, 2025): Canadian cannabis producers are adopting a new X-ray sanitation system from XRpure, a U.S. equipment manufacturer. XRpure announced a partnership with Canadian distributor Strangford Cannabis to deploy its patented X-ray irradiation tunnel systems across the country. These systems sterilize finished cannabis in sealed packaging to quickly eliminate bacteria, molds, and pests more efficiently than ethylene oxide fumigation. The technology offers faster, residue-free microbial remediation, helping Canadian producers meet strict safety standards for both domestic use and export markets.

United States

• Minnesota adult-use sales begin, making it 23rd legal state (Sep 17, 2025): Minnesota officially became the 23rd state to allow recreational cannabis when state regulators approved two medical cannabis companies (Rise and Green Goods) to open retail stores for adults. The first sales began September 16 through tribal-licensed dispensaries, and sales on non-tribal lands will start soon. State officials called the launch a success of voter-approved legalization. Minnesota’s move follows Maryland in 2025 and reinforces national momentum toward broader cannabis legalization.

• White House nominee says cannabis rescheduling “exploring all options” (Sep 18, 2025): At a Senate confirmation hearing, Sara Carter (Trump’s pick to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy) said the new administration is “exploring all options” regarding federal cannabis rescheduling. Carter, a registered nurse who would oversee drug policy, acknowledged ongoing research needs but offered cautious support for reforms. She noted rescheduling involves Congress and agencies, and reaffirmed Trump’s campaign promise to reconsider marijuana’s Schedule I status.  

• Hawaii health officials push for federal rescheduling (Sep 16, 2025): Hawaii’s Department of Health director testified before a state committee in favor of moving marijuana to Schedule III at the federal level, stating it would ease banking and research burdens. The DOH also noted that switching to Schedule III would lower tax and financial barriers for medical cannabis clinics. Meanwhile, Hawaii lawmakers signaled plans to amend the state’s cannabis legalization laws to clarify home grow and licensing issues 2026.

• Texas Supreme Court refuses San Marcos decrim case (Sep 15, 2025): The Texas Supreme Court chose not to hear an appeal of San Marcos city’s 2022 ordinance decriminalizing small-scale cannabis possession. This leaves a trial court’s decision to strike down the local law in effect, frustrating city officials and advocates who supported local decrim. Opponents of San Marcos’ voter-approved measure cheered the decision, arguing that cities cannot override state law. Critics claim the ruling takes away Texas voters' voice, but decrim is now mostly irrelevant since state law and pardons have lowered penalties statewide.

• First Kentucky medical dispensaries to open by October (Sep 15, 2025): Kentucky’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board announced that the state's first cultivated medical cannabis products will be available by mid-October. The Department of Health (DOH) plans to start shipping these products to licensed dispensaries shortly after licensing is complete. Officials estimate that about five dispensaries might open next month. Although the state’s implementation, approved in 2023, has been gradual, this represents a significant milestone as medical cannabis finally begins to reach patients.

• Missouri legal sales surpass $1 billion in 2025 (Sep 9, 2025): Missouri’s combined medical and recreational cannabis retailers reached a total of $1.008 billion in sales in 2025 after August’s figures. Adult-use (recreational) cannabis generated about $130.5 million in August alone, with total adult market sales to date at $360 million (the rest was medical). The August figure set a record for the young adult-use market, which launched in January 2023. Analysts note that Missouri’s prices are relatively low, and the strong sales highlight booming demand in the newly legal market markets.

• House panel advances amendment blocking federal rescheduling (Sep 12, 2025): The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the Commerce-Justice-Science funding bill that would prohibit the DOJ from using federal funds to de-schedule marijuana. The move, pushed by Republicans, would lock cannabis as Schedule I despite the executive branch’s review. Supporters of rescheduling condemned the amendment as undermining the Trump administration’s announced plans. The issue now heads to the full House, setting up a clash between GOP appropriators and pro-legalization advocates.

• Ohio legal sales top $3.0 billion (Sep 17, 2025): Ohio’s cannabis control agency reported that since adult-use sales began (Aug 2024), total legal sales have reached $3.016 billion. Of this, medical sales account for approximately $2.23 billion and recreational for about $0.785 billion. The market has produced 454,795 pounds of flower and 44 million “units” of other products. As of September 12, Ohio had 165 dual medical and recreational dispensaries and supporting businesses. Per-gram prices have dropped from $10 to around $6.54, reflecting a maturing supply and competition.

• NCIA calls on Congress to repeal “280E” tax penalty (Sep 19, 2025): The National Cannabis Industry Association and coalition groups issued a report urging Congress to grant full federal tax deductions to cannabis businesses by repealing IRS Code 280E and to implement retroactive relief. The report highlights that cannabis companies face “draconian” effective tax rates because 280E prevents them from deducting ordinary expenses. NCIA claims that small dispensaries, including medical ones serving veterans, cannot survive under 280E. The industry group is advocating for a legislative solution as part of broader tax reform talks.

• New Jersey launches $15M NJ LEAF program (Sep 15, 2025): New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority approved a $15 million pilot loan program (NJ LEAF) to support cannabis businesses. The program provides loans up to $1.5 million for small New Jersey-based cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, and labs (with fewer than 250 employees). Recipients must have been operating for at least a year and have gross revenues under $5 million. The NJ LEAF program aims to fill capital gaps in the supply chain and help small operators expand within the state’s legal market.

International

• Germany to halt new import permits for 2025 (Sep 18, 2025): The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) announced it will not issue any new permits for importing dried medical cannabis for the rest of 2025. The agency stated that domestic demand (122,000 kg) has been met by existing importers, mainly through Canada, and local cultivation, so no additional licenses will be granted this year. This change could affect foreign suppliers, as Germany is Europe’s largest cannabis market.

• Study: Cannabis use linked to quadrupled diabetes risk (Sep 14, 2025): A new meta-analysis of medical records involving 4 million people found that those who use cannabis have nearly four times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over five years compared to non-users. The EU-funded study combined data from health registries and controlled for various factors, concluding that cannabis use is a strong independent risk marker for diabetes. Researchers warned that cannabis smokers may share other lifestyle risks but emphasized the importance of awareness of this health link guidance.

• Curaleaf partners with UK clinicians for prescriber education (Sep 19, 2025): UK medical cannabis company Curaleaf announced a partnership with the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS) to enhance physician education. Industry data indicates that the UK has Europe’s second-largest patient market, but only about 8% of eligible patients are registered, mainly due to low awareness among physicians. Through this partnership, Curaleaf will fund MCCS training and outreach efforts so more doctors become comfortable prescribing cannabis-based treatments medicines.

• Australian advocates call for cannabis driving “defence” law (Sep 16, 2025): Legal and patient groups in New South Wales are renewing calls to establish a legal defense for medicinal cannabis patients caught driving with measurable THC. Current NSW drug-driving laws enforce zero-tolerance (any THC is illegal), which opponents say unfairly penalize patients. Advocates argue the science shows no clear impairment at low THC levels and that patients should have a statutory “mistake of fact” defense (similar to a medical necessity defense in Vic./Tasmania). The issue is gaining attention as more patients complain of unfair prosecutions under the strict laws.

  

• Portuguese police bust major cannabis export ring (Sep 21, 2025): Portugal’s authorities announced they dismantled a transnational cannabis trafficking network that used fake medical licenses to export tons of marijuana overseas. Five suspects were arrested after a year-long investigation by Portugal’s SEF police. Officers seized over 7.3 tons of cannabis resin (vaporizer oil) worth €7.9 million, along with 263 kg of processed medical weed. Investigators say the suspects improperly exported the cannabis, labeled as “medicinal,” to markets in Latin America and beyond using fake prescriptions and overseas clinics.

  

• Study: NHS medical cannabis could boost UK economy £13.3B (Sep 21, 2025): A report led by Oxford Analytica found that fully integrating prescribed medical cannabis into the UK’s NHS could generate £13.3 billion in economic benefits over 10 years. The study, commissioned by industry groups, projects such a program could reduce hospitalizations for chronic conditions by 28% and help thousands of patients (e.g., with epilepsy, MS) return to work. It also estimates that thousands of jobs will be created in cultivation, processing, and clinical research. The report suggests that the health and economic gains of an NHS program outweigh its costs.

• Thailand restricts cannabis sales to five medical uses (Sep 15, 2025): Thailand, which decriminalized cannabis in 2022, introduced new rules that limit legal cannabis sales strictly to prescribed medical use. The Health Ministry now requires dispensaries to sell only to patients with prescriptions for five specific conditions: insomnia, chronic pain, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, or appetite loss. Online-only sales and products with added nicotine will be banned. Officials said the move aims to curb recreational use and clarify the medical-only framework, as the market had “mushroomed” since liberalization. Violations of the new rules carry fines and potential license revocations.

• Industry embraces AI and robotics amid regulations (Sep 16, 2025): Reuters reports that global cannabis companies are increasingly adopting AI, automation, and robotics in cultivation and processing. Technology firms are selling AI-powered greenhouse monitors, automated trimmers, and robotic pre-roll machines to boost efficiency and compliance. However, because cannabis remains illegal federally in the U.S., companies must customize tech solutions carefully. The article highlights examples such as drone imaging and machine-learning “cannabis-scoping” and notes that innovation is being slowed by a “patchwork” of national and state regulations.

• EU hemp industry eyes September regulatory vote (Sep 19, 2025): A report states that the European Parliament’s agriculture committee has endorsed a “whole-plant” hemp approach, including flowers, and has called for a 0.5% THC limit in industrial hemp. A plenary vote is scheduled for later in September. If approved, the EU Commission would amend the Common Market Organization regulation to recognize hemp as a legal agricultural crop across all regions. This would require EU countries, like Italy, to lift bans on hemp flowers. Industry leaders say the move would finally harmonize hemp regulations across Europe and open markets for CBD products.

• Diabetes and heart disease studies raise health concerns (Sep 15–20, 2025): International research continues to link cannabis to health risks. A European study found nearly 4 times higher diabetes onset among cannabis users (see above), and a global health analysis from the University of Toulouse reported that cannabis users had a 29% higher risk of heart attack and a 20% higher risk of stroke. Researchers call for more clinical trials. These findings are published in medical journals and news outlets and highlight calls by some international health organizations for stricter controls on high-THC cannabis products.

Looking ahead, the developments from the past week indicate that cannabis is entering its next stage of maturity. Canadian companies are shifting from survival to profitability and innovation, while regulators continue to refine the rules for a stable market. In the U.S., momentum at the state level contrasts with federal uncertainty, creating both opportunities and risks for operators navigating uneven ground. Internationally, governments are experimenting with policy models that balance medical potential, economic opportunity, and public health concerns, reflecting cannabis’s growing role on the global stage.

The industry’s path forward is clear: cannabis is no longer defined just by legalization milestones but by how well businesses, policymakers, and communities adapt to its mainstream presence. The winners in this next chapter will be those who blend agility with discipline; embracing innovation while demonstrating accountability to regulators, investors, and consumers.