The Cannabis Market Pulsect 20th to 26th

From Canada to the United States to far-flung international markets, the week of October 20–26, 2025, showcased cannabis’ evolving landscape and the contrasts in how different regions are adapting. In Canada, seven years into federal legalization, the focus was on refining a maturing market: policymakers floated changes like privatizing cannabis distribution to better combat illicit sales, businesses marked new milestones, and researchers released fresh insights on cannabis’ health impacts. South of the border, U.S. developments underscored ongoing regulatory recalibration amid patchwork legalization. State lawmakers moved to adjust cannabis laws (with one state’s House even voting to roll back parts of a voter-approved legalization measure, marijuanamoment.net). At the same time, courts weighed cannabis users’ rights and officials grappled with high-tax markets straining under illicit competition. Internationally, the week’s top stories reflected a global divergence in momentum; some countries expanded access through medical import boosts and pilot programs. In contrast, others signaled pullbacks via stricter medical oversight and enforcement of existing bans.

Taken together, these developments reflect cannabis at a crossroads. Its normalization into mainstream society is advancing, yet regulators are recalibrating laws, and the momentum of legalization remains uneven across the globe. Policy shifts, market innovations, enforcement crackdowns, and new public health research all surfaced this week, underscoring an industry that is more mainstream than ever but still navigating a complex patchwork of laws and societal attitudes worldwide.

 

Canada

1. Tentative Deal Ends B.C. Cannabis Distribution Strike (Oct. 26, 2025). After an eight-week strike that disrupted cannabis and liquor distribution in British Columbia, the public service union reached a tentative agreement with the provincial government. The deal allows government-run cannabis and liquor warehouses to resume operations, restoring product flow to private retailers and preventing prolonged shortages.

2. Canadian Cannabis Sales Hit Record High in August (Oct. 23, 2025), New Statistics Canada data showed August’s legal cannabis sales reached C$498.7 million, a record monthly high. The figure shows a 1.4% increase over July and a slight year-over-year rise, driven by lower prices and more stores, even as annual sales growth has slowed.

3. THC Mislabeling Spurs Vape Cartridge Recall (Oct. 23, 2025), Health Canada announced a recall of Coterie, Prickly Pear Liquid Diamonds vape cartridges after tests found THC levels more than double the labelled amount. About 8,500 units sold in Ontario and Alberta were pulled as the producer, Culture Kizos Inc., alerted consumers and regulators to the labelling error.

4. OPP Raid Shutters Unlicensed Cannabis Shop (Oct. 20, 2025), Police in Alliston, Ontario, raided an unlicensed dispensary (“Mohawk Medicinal 420”), seizing over 27 pounds of illicit cannabis, edibles, oils, and other products. Two individuals were arrested, and authorities valued the total haul at approximately C$74,000. Officials say the bust is part of ongoing efforts against the province’s illicit market.

5. Study: Tobacco + Cannabis Users Show Brain Changes (Oct. 21, 2025), A McGill University-led study found that people who use both cannabis and tobacco exhibit distinct brain chemistry compared to cannabis-only users. Imaging showed elevated levels of an enzyme (FAAH) that breaks down “bliss molecule” anandamide, potentially explaining why dual users report higher anxiety and depression and face more difficulty quitting cannabis.

6. High Tide Opens 211th Store, Expands in Ontario (Oct. 24, 2025). Retailer High Tide Inc. announced its newest Canna Cabana outlet in Hamilton, Ontario, slated to begin sales on October 27. The opening brings High Tide’s footprint to 211 cannabis stores Canada-wide (including 89 in Ontario), further cementing its status as one of the country’s largest cannabis chains amid a highly competitive retail landscape.

7. Organigram CEO Extends Tenure to Aid Transition (Oct. 24, 2025), Canadian producer Organigram announced that CEO Beena Goldenberg will delay her planned departure and remain through November 30, 2025. The board asked Goldenberg to stay for an additional 2 months to support the search and onboarding of a new chief executive, aiming for a smoother leadership transition as Organigram navigates a challenging market.

8. Yukon Party Pitches Privatizing Cannabis Distribution (Oct. 23, 2025). During the Yukon election campaign, the opposition Yukon Party released a platform plank to explore privatizing cannabis distribution in the territory. The proposal argues for ending the territory’s government-run wholesale model (unique in Canada) in favor of working with private retailers to better compete with the illicit market.

9. BC Regulator Eases Rules Amid Strike (Oct. 24, 2025), As BC’s warehouse strike dragged on, the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch temporarily suspended a key reporting requirement for its direct-delivery program to help private cannabis stores. By pausing the paperwork that small producers typically must file when shipping directly to retailers, the province aimed to keep product moving from craft growers to stores during the labor disruption.

10. Manitoba Cannabis Profits Climb (Oct. 21, 2025), The Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation reported C$47.3 million in net profit from cannabis operations in the fiscal year ending March 2025. Wholesale cannabis revenues in Manitoba rose about 11% to C$170 million, a 20% profit jump over the prior year. Cannabis earnings in Manitoba even outpaced those from lottery and online gaming, though they remain a fraction of liquor profits.

United States

1. Senator Slams Delayed Federal Rescheduling (Oct. 20, 2025), U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden criticized the Trump administration for “dragging its feet” on a promised cannabis rescheduling decision. In August, President Trump had said he’d act “within weeks” to move marijuana to Schedule III, but by late October, no action was taken. Wyden warned that the delay perpetuates injustices of federal prohibition, noting rescheduling would at least recognize marijuana’s medical value and ease research and tax barriers.

2. Trump Appoints Cannabis Executive as Envoy (Oct. 20, 2025), President Donald Trump named Mark Savaya, founder of Michigan-based dispensary chain Leaf & Bud, as the new U.S. special envoy to Iraq. Savaya’s appointment raised eyebrows due to his cannabis industry background, a first for a diplomatic role, and came after he supported Trump’s campaign. The White House praised Savaya’s business experience, though observers noted his company had faced local controversy over advertising tactics.

3. California Task Force Seizes $222 Million in Illegal Cannabis (Oct. 21, 2025), California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce reported it destroyed 66 tons of illicit cannabis plants and products over a three-month crackdown. Operations across 15 counties targeted unlicensed farms and sites, including one raid in Monterey County that wiped out 38 tons alone. Officials say the Q3 enforcement surge, part of an effort to protect consumers and the legal market, led to 18 arrests and the confiscation of firearms and pesticides.

4. Los Angeles Weighs Tax Amnesty for Struggling Dispensaries (Oct. 22, 2025), Facing a collapse of Los Angeles’ legal cannabis industry, city officials proposed an amnesty program to forgive late penalties on business taxes. An internal city letter revealed more than two-thirds of LA’s licensed cannabis companies had failed to pay local taxes, with $400 million in outstanding dues. The amnesty plan would waive penalties if firms entered payment plans, as a lifeline to dispensaries hit by high taxes, competition from illicit sellers, and dwindling capital.

5. Virginia Governor’s Race Puts Cannabis Sales in Play (Oct. 25, 2025). In Virginia’s closely watched gubernatorial race, candidates staked out opposing cannabis positions that could decide the fate of legalization. Republican Winsome Sears opposed creating a retail market, citing workplace safety and “no need” for full legalization beyond medical use. Democrat Abigail Spanberger endorsed establishing a regulated adult-use market. She pledged to sign a sales bill, arguing that the current prohibition on retail sales only fuels illicit trade and deprives the government of tax revenue.

6. Study: Legalization Linked to Less Opioid Use by Cancer Patients (Oct. 20, 2025). A federally funded research in JAMA Health Forum found that opening medical or adult-use cannabis dispensaries correlates with fewer opioid prescriptions for cancer patients. Researchers analyzing insurance data (2007–2020) reported significant drops in opioid use (both number of patients and dosage) after states launched legal cannabis access. The NIH-funded study suggests cannabis availability may serve as a helpful alternative for pain management, potentially curbing opioid demand among patients undergoing cancer treatment.

7. MariMed Expands Cannabis Edibles to New York (Oct. 23, 2025), Multi-state operator MariMed Inc. announced a licensing deal to bring its popular edible brands into New York’s fledgling market. Partnering with a licensed New York manufacturer, MariMed will roll out products like its “Betty’s Eddies” fruit chews and “Bubby’s Baked” goods across the state. Executives said entering the Empire State’s projected $6 billion market is a significant growth step, and noted that New York’s influence and tourism could boost national visibility of MariMed’s brands.

8. Michigan Cannabis Industry Fights New 24% Tax (Oct. 16, 2025), Michigan’s marijuana businesses mobilized against a 24% wholesale excise tax set to take effect in 2026 as part of a roads funding plan. Trade groups filed suit arguing the steep tax added on top of Michigan’s 10% retail excise tax violates the 2018 voter initiative. Small operators warned that the “pot for potholes” tax, signed by the governor in early October, will drive up prices and push consumers back to the illicit market. Two separate lawsuits in the state Court of Claims seek to block the tax before it is implemented, claiming it unconstitutionally amends the voter-approved law.

9. New York Cracks Down on Unlicensed Shops (Oct. 24, 2025). In New York, a multi-agency enforcement sweep shuttered four illicit cannabis dispensaries on Long Island, underscoring the state’s escalating crackdown on unlicensed sales. Suffolk County police raids netted over 100 pounds of cannabis and edibles and about $50,000 in cash from the stores, which were accused of selling without state licenses. Seven people were arrested in the coordinated bust, and officials signaled that more raids would continue statewide as New York tries to rein in its prolific underground cannabis trade while the legal market slowly expands.

10. U.S. Cannabis Support Near All-Time High (Oct. 2025). New polling shows American public support for marijuana legalization remains at record levels. A Pew Research survey found 88% of U.S. adults favor legalizing cannabis for at least medical use, including 59% who support full adult-use legalization. This broad consensus, spanning most demographics and regions, has held steady, reflecting that nearly seven in ten Americans now live in a state with some form of legal cannabis. Advocates say the sustained popular support may increase pressure on federal lawmakers to enact reform.

International

1. Germany Lifts Cap on Medical Cannabis Imports (Oct. 24, 2025), German regulators raised the annual limit on medical marijuana imports by 70 tonnes, from 122.5 to 192.5 metric tons, after the 2025 quota was exhausted early. Germany, Europe’s largest medical cannabis market, had paused import approvals in September when the previous cap was hit. The increase, announced by agency BfArM, allows imports to resume and reflects surging patient demand. Germany imported over 43 tons in just Q2 2025, with Canada and Portugal as top suppliers.

2. Panama Implements Medical Cannabis Regulations (Oct. 25, 2025). Three years after legalizing medical marijuana, Panama achieved a key milestone by allowing the registration of cannabis-based products for prescription use. The Health Ministry issued rules exempting medicinal THC products from standard drug registration, streamlining their approval under Panama’s medicinal cannabis program. The move enables licensed companies (seven manufacturing licenses were granted in 2024) to bring products to market finally. Officials in Panama, a regional first-mover in cannabis reform, see this as a way to jump-start an industry poised to create jobs and generate revenue.

3. Nearly 100 Cannabis Clubs Approved in Germany (Oct. 21, 2025), Germany’s state of North Rhine-Westphalia has approved 97 “Cannabis Social Club” associations under the country’s new legalization law. These non-profit clubs will collectively cultivate cannabis for adult members once fully operational. Nationwide, hundreds of applications are pending as Germany rolls out its first phase of legalization: limited home-grow and club-based production. Officials say interest in forming clubs is high, though the timeline for first harvests in 2024–2025 varies by region.

4. Legalization Shrinks Germany’s Illicit Market, Survey Finds (Oct. 21, 2025). A new German study suggests the country’s recent legalization is succeeding in drawing consumers away from illegal dealers. In an extensive federal survey of cannabis users, 88.4% reported obtaining cannabis from legal sources (home grows, clubs, or pharmacies) in the six months since legalization, up from only 23.5% using such sources before. Researchers say the April 2024 law’s impact on consumer behavior is “significant”: home cultivation and pharmacy purchases now dominate, while street purchases have dropped sharply. Policymakers argue that this shift toward the regulated market was a primary goal of legalization.

5. Argentine Province Joins Cannabis Reform (Oct. 25, 2025), Lawmakers in Chaco, Argentina, unanimously voted to adopt the national legal framework for medical cannabis and industrial hemp. By adhering to Argentina’s federal Law 27.669, Chaco will allow regulated cultivation, production, and use of medical cannabis locally. The province is drafting follow-up rules to build a sustainable “value chain” for cannabis and hemp. Argentina federally legalized medical cannabis and hemp in 2022, but implementation is provincial. Chaco’s move, following several other provinces, aims to attract investment and give farmers a new crop option (the region is known for cotton and soy).

6. Italy Bans Popular Hemp Products, Alarming Industry (2025). Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, imposed a controversial ban on low-THC hemp flower and CBD extracts, reclassifying them as narcotics in 2023-2025. The crackdown means products like CBD oil, hemp buds, and edibles, previously sold in “Cannabis Light” shops, are now illegal, except for topical or seed-based items. Farmers and entrepreneurs have protested, noting Italy’s hemp sector had grown to thousands of businesses. The ban, which runs counter to evolving EU norms, is being challenged in court and in the European Parliament as an overreach that could wipe out an entire domestic industry.

7. Thailand Tightens Cannabis Rules Under New Government (2025). In Thailand, a lax cannabis policy has shifted toward stricter controls after a change in government. Medical prescriptions are now required for virtually all cannabis purchases, as recreational use is no longer officially allowed. The Health Ministry affirmed that the prior system, which saw hundreds of retail shops bloom, will remain medical-only for now. Advocates in Thailand are urging a new cannabis bill to create a more transparent framework, arguing that forcing casual users into the black market undermines the intent of last year’s decriminalization. For the moment, the conservative government is also pausing the licensing of new weed cafes and tightening enforcement against unlicensed sellers.

8. German Lawmakers Seek to Loosen Hemp Restrictions (Oct. 18, 2025). A bipartisan group in Germany’s Bundestag introduced legislation to liberalize industrial hemp regulations. The proposal would raise the allowable THC threshold in hemp plants (currently 0.2% in line with EU rules) and simplify licensing for hemp farmers. Proponents argue that treating low-THC hemp more like an agricultural commodity, rather than a drug, will unlock business opportunities from CBD wellness products to sustainable textiles. Germany’s hemp industry has chafed under what it calls outdated limits, and lawmakers aim to align German policy with moves in North America and other markets that have embraced higher THC limits (like 1% in Switzerland) for non-intoxicating hemp.

9. Colombia’s President Renews Call for Legalization (2025), Colombian President Gustavo Petro once again urged his nation’s Congress to legalize adult-use cannabis, emphasizing that prohibition has failed. Petro, a longtime advocate of drug policy reform, took to social media to argue that marijuana illegality only fuels violent crime and empowers mafias. A legalization bill in Colombia narrowly stalled in 2023 (by one vote in the Senate). Petro’s administration is pushing lawmakers to revive the effort, framing cannabis legalization as a public safety and economic measure. Colombia already permits medical cannabis and exports, and Petro contends that regulating recreational use would further undermine drug cartels that have terrorized the country.

10. Czech Republic to Legalize Personal Cannabis Use (Law Signed, Effective Jan. 1, 2026). The Czech Republic is set to become the first in Central Europe to legalize adult cannabis possession and home cultivation. In July 2025, Czech President Petr Pavel signed a landmark legalization bill that will allow adults 21+ to grow up to 3 plants and possess up to 100 g at home (25 g in public) starting January 1, 2026. The law, approved by the Czech Parliament in May, stops short of creating a commercial market due to EU treaty constraints, but it removes all penalties for personal use and sharing within limits. Czech officials are also exploring a system of licensed cannabis clubs or pilot sales pending European Union guidance. The move follows years of decriminalization in Czechia and reflects a broader continental shift, coming on the heels of reforms in Germany, Malta, and Luxembourg.

This past week underscored the dynamic and often contradictory nature of the global cannabis landscape. While markets like Germany, Panama, and several Canadian provinces advanced toward broader access and infrastructure improvements, others, such as Thailand and Italy, pulled back or tightened oversight, revealing a persistent tension between reform and retrenchment. In the U.S., the push for clarity on federal rescheduling and state-level policy pivots revealed a market in flux, burdened by taxation and compliance challenges yet buoyed by public support and health research pointing to therapeutic value.

What’s clear is that cannabis is no longer a fringe issue. It’s a multifaceted policy area touching trade, healthcare, criminal justice, agriculture, and economic development. As we close the week of October 20–26, 2025, the big picture is one of recalibration: governments are rethinking how legalization should look, businesses are adapting to evolving rules and economics, and consumers are increasingly shaping outcomes through demand and engagement.

Whether you’re a policymaker, operator, investor, or advocate, this week’s developments are a reminder that the cannabis sector is maturing, but not yet settled. The conversations and decisions made now will define what cannabis looks like in the next decade.