AGP Executive Report

Rescheduling Fight in Court: The U.S. DOJ says some opponents of moving marijuana to Schedule III are really protecting “pocketbook interests,” targeting drug-testing and pharma-linked groups in a lawsuit that could reshape federal rules. Local Cannabis Zoning: Delaware lawmakers overrode Gov. Matt Meyer’s veto, forcing localities to loosen zoning limits for retail cannabis stores. Enforcement Push: Nova Scotia is raising penalties for illegal cannabis sales and adding new offences tied to advertising and landlords enabling sales. Hemp Crackdown: North Carolina’s Senate passed a compromise to restrict intoxicating hemp products for under-21s, but the House delayed action. Medical Cannabis & Care: New Mexico providers warn a policy taking custody of substance-exposed newborns is harming families, even as other states expand access. Public Safety Case: A NSW tribunal banned a nurse for two years after THC was allegedly added to a woman’s tea at a backpacker hostel.

DEA Marijuana Rescheduling: Transportation and safety groups, led by the American Trucking Associations, warned the federal government that rescheduling marijuana could disrupt drug testing for safety-sensitive workers like truck drivers and pilots, urging agencies to coordinate during the hearing and rulemaking. Local Ballot Push (Idaho): An Idaho medical marijuana campaign says it submitted county-verified signatures to state officials for final review ahead of the November ballot, after earlier concerns about signature validity in some counties and collection rules. Cayman Reform Options: The Cayman Islands Law Reform Commission released a discussion paper on cannabis reform after voters backed decriminalization, weighing harm-reduction models while seeking public comments through Sept. 1. Cannabis Retail Vote (Manitoba): Steinbach and Winkler residents are gathering momentum for an October plebiscite on ending a ban on cannabis retail stores, with petitions now surpassing required signatures. Enforcement & Illicit Market: California’s task forces reported major illegal cannabis seizures and destruction, while a separate report highlighted how enforcement data is split across agencies targeting cultivation and the broader illicit supply chain.

Hemp & Cannabis Regulation: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed new rules aimed at making intoxicating hemp safer, including a ban on sales to people under 21, childproof packaging, and tighter marketing/labeling requirements. State Policy: North Carolina Senate advanced updated hemp/kratom restrictions, targeting “wild west” THC levels and proposing a full synthetic kratom ban plus age limits. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Georgia’s medical cannabis law updates took effect, expanding patient eligibility and administration options under SB 220. Industry Oversight: Pakistan’s Cabinet cleared 2026 Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority licensing rules, setting up a regulated framework for medicinal and industrial cannabis. Local Governance: DC’s ANC 6B backed a Wingstop zoning request only with strict operating-hour limits after resident concerns about trash, rats, odor, and traffic. Labor & Cannabis: Illinois cannabis grow-house workers in Pike County staged a heatwave strike, citing stalled contract talks and demands for better pay, health coverage, and safer conditions. Court Watch: South Africa’s Constitutional Court gave Cape Town a deadline to draft affordable-housing policies after ruling the province failed to address apartheid spatial injustice tied to the Tafelberg land sale.

US Cannabis Rescheduling: The DEA/Justice move to reclassify medical cannabis and FDA-approved cannabis products to Schedule 3 is being framed as a boost for hemp-derived CBD and THC beverage innovation, with industry leaders saying it could bring clearer quality rules and more medical trial funding. Virginia Criminal Justice: Virginia’s new law expands automatic sealing of certain convictions and arrests, including marijuana-related cases, giving thousands a path to cleaner records for jobs and housing. Ohio Campus Confusion: Ohio’s Senate Bill 56 tightens state marijuana rules, but students say Ohio State’s federal-policy enforcement leaves unclear lines for possession and intoxication on campus. CBD Medical Research: A new real-world study in Australia adds to the case for purified CBD in drug-resistant pediatric epilepsy beyond the most common syndromes, offering hope for families facing high out-of-pocket costs. Local Enforcement: UK police in Sunderland seized 800+ cannabis plants and equipment worth up to £167,500, arresting two men and issuing a closure order. Policy & Safety Pushback: Oregon’s Marion County leaders are urging the state health authority to roll back residential care rule changes they say raise safety risks and costs. Housing Court Ruling (South Africa): The Constitutional Court struck down the Western Cape’s Tafelberg land sale, ordering reports on well-located affordable housing—an issue that could reshape CBD-area development. Business Expansion: Vireo Growth says it’s buying into Pennsylvania retail licensing via a deal tied to opening up to six medical dispensaries.

Cannabis Policy & Retail Rollouts: Virginia finalized a timeline for its regulated adult-use retail cannabis market, with hemp-product oversight shifting to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority in August 2026 and a crackdown aimed at closing the “25:1 loophole,” while adult-use dispensaries are slated for July 2027. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Georgia’s Putting Georgia Patients First Act took effect Wednesday, expanding qualifying conditions and allowing more product forms, including vaping, and removing a 5% cap on the primary active ingredient. Local Zoning Battles: Delano City Council discussed possible cannabis retail zoning changes but took no action; Delaware lawmakers also moved to override a veto to limit restrictive local business zoning rules for marijuana. Regulatory/Compliance Watch: Arizona recalled a cannabis flower strain after state inspectors found failed Aspergillus testing records were reported as passing. Public Consultation: Kentucky’s Law Reform Commission opened public comments on “Cannabis Reform,” weighing harm-minimisation options like decriminalizing possession and adjusting penalties. Broader Drug Enforcement: Japan’s health ministry estimated about 350,000 people used cocaine in 2025, alongside record police crackdowns.

Legal Battles & Policy: DOJ is challenging Evanston, Illinois’ reparations plan that’s funded partly by a local tax on recreational marijuana sales, arguing race-based criteria are unconstitutional. Criminal Justice: Maryland’s Calvert County grand jury indicted six people in alleged drug distribution cases, including cannabis-related charges tied to searches and seizures. Local Cannabis Expansion: Maple Plain, Minnesota approved a cannabis dispensary for medical and recreational sales, while Waconia, Minnesota is weighing a dispensary move into the former J. Carver Distillery site. Shopping & Consumer Guidance: A new report argues the industry’s THC-percentage marketing is a leftover from prohibition and pushes consumers to shop by better product factors. Medical Cannabis Growth: Georgia’s SB 220 expands medical access by lifting the 5% THC limit and allowing vapes and leaf for vaporization. Hemp/THC Crackdowns: South Carolina lawmakers killed DUI and THC-infused product bills, keeping THC drinks/edibles available to all ages; Tennessee’s hemp rules banning THCA take effect. International Enforcement: Nigeria’s customs handed over seized cannabis sativa shipments worth billions to NDLEA and food/drug regulators.

Cannabis Regulation & Enforcement: California announced $227M in grants to crack down on illicit cannabis and fund youth prevention and public health, with local enforcement and legalization impacts in focus. Medical Cannabis Policy: Nebraska AG Hilgers signed off on medical cannabis regulations’ constitutionality, sending the rules to Gov. Pillen for final action to avoid lapsing temporary guidance. State Law Changes: Georgia’s Patient First Act takes effect July 1, expanding qualifying conditions, removing the 5% THC cap, and adding vaporization options. Local CBD/Vape Rules: Gatesville, Texas approved tighter rules for vape and CBD shops, including proximity limits and background checks, drawing pushback from local retailers. Municipal Cannabis Business Climate: In California City, council voted to let an interim cannabis moratorium expire after 45 days, with a potential extension still on the table. Industry/Compliance Costs: A South Carolina jail official was arrested over an alleged cover-up after an inmate overdose death involving K2 Spice wasn’t reported to authorities.

DEA Rescheduling Hearing: The federal government kicked off its marijuana rescheduling case, arguing cannabis has accepted medical value and lower abuse and overdose risk than opioids and alcohol, as the process targets a Schedule III outcome. Virginia Adult-Use Retail: Virginia’s budget locks in a regulated recreational market, with retail sales set to start July 1, 2027 and up to 350 licenses. Tax Pressure on Cannabis: A new look at the 280E tax trap highlights why rescheduling could finally ease crushing effective tax rates for U.S. operators. Hemp THC Stalemate: South Carolina lawmakers ended a special session without new rules for hemp-based THC drinks and edibles, leaving the market in limbo. Consumer/Compliance Watch: A Missouri lawsuit alleges a cannabis company used “cashless ATM” style debit charges with hidden fees that misrepresent transactions. Local Governance: South Africa’s local government ministry is drafting protocols for neighborhood councils to handle common resident complaints, aiming to reduce unresolved issues. Enforcement & Public Safety: India’s narcotics bureau reported 747 foreign nationals arrested in drug cases in 2025, with Nepal the top source country.

DEA Cannabis Rescheduling: The DEA kicked off a hearing on moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, but reform advocates are upset they’re being shut out of the testimony process. Virginia Retail Rollout: Virginia lawmakers approved budget changes that clear the way for regulated recreational marijuana sales starting July 1, 2027, with regulators taking retail license applications in February. Louisiana Penalties: A new Louisiana law boosts maximum penalties for marijuana use within 2,000-foot drug-free zones around schools and college campuses, expanding officers’ ability to arrest instead of issuing summonses. Industry Moves: Tilray announced it will acquire HelloMD to expand direct-to-patient medical cannabis access in Canada. Enforcement Roundup: Nigeria’s NDLEA reported destroying about 12.2 tonnes of illicit drugs in Kano, including cannabis and opioids, as part of intelligence-led operations. Policy/Politics Watch: South Africa braces for June 30 anti-immigrant protests, while local unrest and enforcement planning continue to ripple through CBD areas.

DEA/Rescheduling Watch: A DEA hearing is set to consider Trump’s executive order to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a shift that could ripple into Tennessee’s tight rules on marijuana-derived products. State Hemp Policy: South Carolina lawmakers rejected a Senate-passed compromise to regulate intoxicating hemp THC beverages (age limits, liquor-store sales, potency caps, labeling), leaving the market in limbo until new federal rules later this year. Local Cannabis Finance: Osseo, Minnesota residents challenged a proposed tax abatement bond plan to fund a city cannabis dispensary, with critics warning about tax risk if sales fall short. Public Access & Enforcement: St. Pete Beach approved new Gulf shoreline sign rules, but the fight over beach access and private property boundaries continues. Drug War Numbers: Nigeria’s NDLEA reported major seizures and arrests across states, including 12.2 tonnes destroyed in Kano and 12,724kg seized in Kaduna. Workplace Safety Tech: Cannabix announced its BreathLogix alcohol screening devices are being deployed in West Africa for mining safety compliance. Industry Operations: TerrAscend filed a preliminary proxy statement ahead of a shareholder vote tied to a potential U.S. exchange uplisting.

Federal Rescheduling: The DEA is set to begin a Monday hearing on proposed marijuana rescheduling, a major fork in the road for U.S. cannabis rules. Medical Liability: New Zealand doctors warn they could be “set up to fail” as laws race to expand access to cannabis-based medicines without enough safety and efficacy data. Hemp Legal Fight: A U.S. appeals court upheld the DEA’s position that CBD is still Schedule 1, dealing a blow to hemp producers and pushing them toward another appeal. Enforcement & Seizures: Myanmar burned more than 50 tons of illegal drugs worth nearly $600M; Nigeria’s NDLEA reported large tramadol and cannabis seizures and arrests; the Philippines’ PDEA said it confiscated P40.06M in drugs and nabbed 110 suspects. Policy Messaging: Hong Kong’s Correctional Services Department pulled a controversial anti-drugs AI ad after backlash. Industry Spotlight: A Q&A with a THC beverage maker highlights how state-by-state rules are shaping the fast-growing hemp drink market. Community Impact: A Whangārei woman is campaigning to stop meth pipe sales in shops, citing easy access to drug tools.

DEA/COURTS: A federal appeals court upheld the DEA’s position that CBD is a Schedule 1 controlled substance, a major blow to the hemp industry and a reminder that state-legal products may still be illegal under federal law. U.S. LEGAL/SAFETY: The Supreme Court struck down a federal gun rule that treated marijuana users as automatically disqualified from firearm possession, reshaping how federal prosecutors can charge cannabis-related cases. HEMP/PRODUCTS: South Carolina lawmakers failed to agree on THC limits, keeping hemp THC products legal for now. POLICY/TEENS: A public health program outlined ways to limit teen access to legal THC products. ENFORCEMENT (NIGERIA): NDLEA seized 4,959 kg of Canadian Loud worth N12.397bn at Lagos ports and also reported major cannabis and drug busts tied to passenger smuggling. ENFORCEMENT (INDIA): Himachal Pradesh’s High Court ordered transfers and an SIT probe after rave parties in Kasol were linked to suspected drug trafficking. LOCAL REGULATION: Missouri’s marijuana expungement process is still leaving eligible cases uncleared, creating confusion over what people should do next. INDUSTRY/EXPANSION: America’s biggest cannabis greenhouse operator, Glass House Brands, is pushing to scale cultivation and sales as it prepares for NYSE trading.

Youth THC access: Dane County prevention groups are training on how legal hemp THC products (including Delta 8/10) can still reach teens via vapes and candy-like edibles, after 2023 emergency visits tied to cannabis overconsumption. Public health & enforcement: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is facing calls to drop a budget amendment that would boost penalties for marijuana use in public to a “poverty penalty” level, with advocates alleging racially biased enforcement. Hemp policy update: Goodhue County approved changes to its cannabis ordinance, removing a 1,000-foot spacing rule for low-potency hemp edibles. Rescheduling pressure: A push is underway for the DEA to livestream a marijuana rescheduling hearing, while opponents preview arguments in new filings. Drug war headlines: Nigeria’s NDLEA says it seized 13 drug containers and secured $12m+ in fines/convictions; Adamawa reports 583 arrests and 270 convictions with 5+ tonnes seized; New York prison officials report drone drops of marijuana, pills, and phones. Local governance: Janesville council approved annexation and land-use changes for a large indoor strawberry greenhouse, while also weighing multifamily “affordable housing” concerns.

Federal Cannabis Rescheduling: The U.S. Supreme Court limited a major Roundup cancer lawsuit wave by ruling federal law can preempt many state-court claims, a reminder that cannabis-adjacent legal fights can hinge on jurisdiction. DEA Rescheduling Push: A coalition of people harmed by federal cannabis prohibition is set to speak outside the courthouse ahead of the DEA’s historic rescheduling hearing, arguing rescheduling isn’t “justice.” Local Hemp Retail Rule: Goodhue County approved changes to its cannabis ordinance, removing a 1,000-foot spacing requirement for low-potency hemp edible sales. State Policy & Politics: Minnesota lawmakers are wrapping up a session but still have major work left, while Massachusetts faces renewed debate over whether it could reverse marijuana legalization. Enforcement & Public Safety: Charlotte’s “Operation Nite Shade” reported arrests and marijuana/firearms seizures, and Bristol authorities seized illegal tobacco, THC vapes, and cannabis in a multi-agency crackdown. International Drug War: Myanmar urged opium poppy farmers to switch to coffee/tea as authorities destroyed hundreds of millions in illicit drugs; Iraq reported water hyacinth resurfacing in the Euphrates after cleanup.

Drug Policy Shift: Nepal says it will treat addiction as a health issue—patients get treatment and rehab—while reserving tougher penalties for traffickers. Local Enforcement & Testing: Himachal’s Bilaspur rolls out a mobile drug testing unit that can screen for THC and other drugs in minutes, and Idaho lawmakers weigh a kratom ban that would criminalize users and sellers. Cannabis Law & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court ruling protecting gun rights for cannabis users is drawing fresh attention to how states regulate both weed and firearms. Industry & Money: Connecticut plans to send tens of millions from cannabis proceeds into neighborhoods hit by the War on Drugs, while a federal move is set to close a hemp “intoxicating” THC loophole that could reshape North Carolina’s hemp market. Road Safety: NSW faces renewed backlash over medicinal cannabis driving rules after a study found many users take higher doses than recommended. CBD Retail Regulation: Elizabeth City, N.C. schedules hearings on zoning and permitting for CBD/hemp stores and drug rehab facilities.

Local Cannabis Zoning: Concrete, Washington approved marijuana code changes that let cannabis retailers operate in town and cut the general buffer from 1,000 feet to 500 feet from the Upper Skagit Library area, while keeping a 1,000-foot buffer for schools and playgrounds. Medical Cannabis Expansion: Georgia’s SB 220 takes effect July 1, removing the 5% THC cap, legalizing medical flower and vape, expanding qualifying conditions, and raising the possession limit to 12,000 milligrams—setting up a Fine Fettle dispensary grand opening in Evans tied to the rollout. Municipal Cannabis + Business Mix: Osseo, Minnesota moved to lease space in a city-owned building for Heavy Rotation Brewing while a municipal dispensary is expected to occupy the other side, with lease terms running from Nov. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2036. Federal Court Ripple (Marijuana/Guns): The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously narrowed a federal rule affecting gun rights for marijuana users, signaling tighter limits on how states and the federal government can restrict firearm access. International Drug Enforcement: Morocco sentenced 29 people in a major drug trafficking and corruption case, while Nigeria’s Tinubu highlighted NDLEA seizures and convictions as part of broader anti-drug efforts.