Hi all,

They used to say the news slows down in August. Not in the cannabiz. Hope you’re all getting some time off to enjoy summer.

In the newsletter:

• Cannabiz cozies up to Trump

Hope you find it interesting,

Alex

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While he hasn’t shown much sign of returning the favor, the cannabiz appears to be stepping up its charm (and money) offensive to win over President Trump.

Industry-funded group American Rights and Reform PAC, previously Legalize America, donated $1M to Trump PAC MAGA Inc. The group spent another $300,000 with a Trump aligned political consulting firm. Separately, James Hagedorn CEO of gardening company Scotts Miracle-Gro, Scotts has largely exited its hydroponics business Hawthorne.  
Marijuana Moment, Seeking Alpha

Federal:

• These pharma, alcohol and CPG companies lobbied the feds on pot policy.
  Marijuana Moment

Business:

• A complex deal between track and trace software providers Metrc and BioTrack to handle the New York market has observers wondering if the companies have merged.
  MJBiz
• Execs with MSO Ayr Wellness discussed their plans for life after restructuring. Among other changes, 150+ will be laid off when it closes a Massachusetts factory.
  Cultivated, Boston.com
• The “big three” MSOs released their Q2 earnings.
  New Cannabis Ventures
• In response to a federal lawsuit, North Carolina-based hemp company Asterra Labs alleged its former business partner MC Neutraceuticals engaged in “organized criminal activity.”
  The Assembly
• Security discusses using iris-scans in a compliance capacity. 
• Vape company PAX introduced a new device, the FLOW.

State and local:

• Florida reportedly has a new top regulator.
• After a regulator cock-up left dozens of licensees too close to schools, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would ask legislators to change the law.
  NYTimes
• D.C.’s self-certified market is outpacing Maryland’s in growth.
  The Outlaw Report
• Minnesota shops are opening without anything to sell.
  FOX
• Ohio completed its first year of REC sales. Business owners weighed in.
  States Newsroom, WKBN
• A new Connecticut lawsuit alleges a license stealing scam in the state.
  Cannabis Science & Tech
• Massachusetts regulators issued a public safety advisory for product tested by one lab, but “it’s up to you to figure out if your weed was contaminated,” Talking Joints Memo writes.
• Michigan could potentially sell more legal product than California.
  Crain’s Detroit

Health and science:

• A new problem-drug imported from China, ultrapotent nitazines are killing people.
  WSJ
• Growing weed could be worse for the planet than bitcoin, High Times reports.

Fun and interesting:

• Seed seller Homegrown Cannabis Co. found growing one’s own is a “gateway drug” to other forms of gardening.
  Marijuana Moment
• A “popular celeb couple” gave out weed at their wedding.
  GreenState

State:

• A report from the state auditor found regulations around youth advertising and marketing enforcement are unspecific and inconsistently enforced. Kiva exec and California Cannabis Industry Association board president Caren Woodson: “The takeaway? Even if you are doing everything right, your brand could still feel the consequences of others who aren’t.” Read more at KCRA.

Business:

• Glass House broke its silence following the ICE raid. Among other changes, it said it had entered a labor peace agreement with the Teamsters.
  LA Times, WeedWeek
• Los Angeles and San Diego are raising fees on their struggling industries.
  LA Times, NBC
• Cookies is opening its first store in Jamaica.
• SD Beer News asks if cannabis and craft beer can co-exist.

Local:

• Monterey Co. is hoping to expand its program.
  Monterey County Now
• Embarc was the only applicant deemed eligible in Stockton’s pot shop lottery.
  CBS
• Riverside city council approved a controversial ordinance to allow up to seven shops.
  WeedWeek
• Former Perfect Union CEO David Spradlin now runs a dispensary in Weed (Siskiyou Co.) where many folks pull off the highway to buy weed.
  SFGate
• Las Vegas mega-dispensary Planet 13 announced a monthly arts and makers market.
• North Coast Journal shared its Best of Cannabis 2025.

Crime:

• Six were charges in unlicensed LA-area lab blasts that killed five.