All eyes on hemp –Newsletter 11/21/25
THE BIG IDEA
Hi all,
It’s been a while since a topic commanded as much attention in weed world as the hemp ban. You’ll find a whole bunch of links below.
The newsletter will be off next week for Thanksgiving and may be delayed the next on account of MJBizCon.
I’m thankful for all of you. Have a wonderful holiday.
Alex
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WeedWeek Wonks: THC beverages, opportunities and threats
In 2023, economist Beau Whitney released a report estimating the nationwide hemp-derived cannabinoids industry at $28B, roughly equal to the combined state cannabis markets. The figure forced the cannabis world to reassess its thinking on the largely unregulated market, which had sprung from the so-called hemp loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill.
This fall, in a new report he examined the market for THC beverages and found a more than $1.1B market which could reach $14B. Or at least it could if the products remain legal. Following this month’s federal ban on intoxicating hemp products, Whitney joined WeedWeek editor Alex Halperin to discuss how the coming ban is upending the market, what the alcohol industry thinks, and what’s next for the popular beverage category.
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Also in WeedWeek:
- Dinner with WeedWeek in DC, off the record
- Newsbrief: SF poised for Jan 1 tax hike
- Newsbrief: Judge’s ruling threatens Cookies’ solvency: exec
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ALL EYES ON HEMP
So much has been said about the federal hemp ban set to kick in in just under a year. Here are some of the moving parts.
- How hemp THC companies are preparing. And what they’re doing to find a resolution.
MJBiz, Cultivated - Folks are hearing about hemp company bank accounts being closed.
- The Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) put out a briefing doc.
- “Federal cannabis policy is more confusing than ever,” says Canna Law Blog.
- Industry pioneer Steve DeAngelo is leading a group called the One Plant Alliance, which aims for “one plant, one policy, one science-based standard.”
High Times - What it means for genetics and seeds.
NothingButHemp.net - Guess what dominated the conversation at the IgniteIt conference in DC.
GreenState - Native American advocates say Indian Country cannabis “has to evolve.”
Tribal Business News - Ohio lawmakers are confused, as they surely are in other states as well.
Cleveland.com - A lawsuit in Missouri goes after unlicensed shops doing the “THCA two-step.”
KansasCity.com - Businesses in hemp hub North Carolina are feeling the impact.
NC Newsline - Here’s Substack Cannabis Musings on “solving for the alcohol industry in hemp regulation.“
- Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a bill to block the ban. Joe Rogan called the ban “very bad.” Pets will “suffer needlessly.“
Marijuana Moment - Anti-legalization activist Kevin Sabet called the ban a “huge victory” for public health.
Washington Examiner
QUICK HITS
Federal:
- The Trump administration will allow the feds to prosecute simple possession, rescinding Biden-era guidance.
Cannabis Business Times
Business:
- MJBiz takes a look at Cookies’ post-judgement “insolvency” risk.
- A small Michigan State study found cannabis workers are developing asthma.
- Marc Shepard, boss of events company NECANN, put out his second annual pre-review of MJBizCon.
- A study found legalization increased female involvement in cannabis.
- Retail tech shop Dispensify named Susie Plascencia director of sales and partnerships.
State and local:
- Facing a lawsuit, Florida officials moved the Trulieve-backed REC initiative towards the 2026 ballot.
Florida Phoenix - A former Minnesota House leader and a prominent attorney are alleged victims of a hemp-beverage related fraud.
Star-Tribune - A Massachusetts commissioner resigned as lawmakers work to restructure the market.
MassLive - An audit found Utah’s regulator operates as a “rubber stamp” on oversight.
Deseret News - A long-running, closely-watched criminal case in Maine, concluded when a father and son were found guilty at trial of charges stemming from what the U.S. Justice Department called a lengthy conspiracy to grow and distribute.
Bangor Daily News - A group representing large operators sued New York state over inverted products. Also, prices are crashing.
Albany Times-Union, NY Post - Virginia is moving towards a REC market.
The Outlaw Report
Health and science:
- An Israeli study found women who use cannabis are more satisfied in their romantic relationships.
Marijuana Moment - A study found cannabis consumption may reduce alcohol consumption.
The Guardian
Book:
- Journalist Scott Eden is publishing A Killing in Cannabis: A true story of love, murder and California weed. It’s the story of Santa Cruz tech CEO Tushar Atre, who was murdered in 2019 while founding a cannabis company.
Fun and interesting:
- Former WeedWeek California editor Donnell Alexander writes on being a 12 year old stoner in Reagan’s Just Say No America.
High Times - The legend of OG Kush according to scribe Scott “SVH” Von Heldt.
HiiiMag - A whale of an AI bong.
@aifeekadabs
CALIFORNIA HITS
Business:
- A group is suing Ventura Co. to release bodycam footage from this summer’s raid at a Glass House facility.
Ventura County Star - The Equity Trade Network is asking for help after their van was in an accident.
- Can Leef become a breakout brand in California and New York?
The Dales Report
Local:
- A letter to the editor says San Diego’s crackdown on the illegal market is “hard to take seriously.“
San Diego Union Tribune - Oakland created a mark for labeling local equity products.
@oaksterdamuniversity - Sacramento leaders are struggling with new rules for the industry, including lounges.
SacBee - Humboldt Co. is giving microbusinesses more flexibility.
Redheaded Blackbelt - After eight months, a unique cannabis and coffee concept in Eureka (Humboldt Co.) will be replaced by a conventional coffee shop.
Lost Coast Outpost