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Last week, Virginia lawmakers passed three bills that will have a monumental impact on the cannabis industry within the state: SB 542, HB 642 and HB 75. These bills aim to advance proposals to legalize cannabis sales, provide a pathway to resentencing for prior marijuana convictions and allow medical cannabis access in hospitals for seriously ill patients.

Yesterday, the Trump Administration officially directed the Attorney General to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III substance. This marks a milestone for the industry, acknowledging at last what medical professionals, patients and millions of Americans have understood for decades: cannabis has accepted medical use and does not belong alongside the most dangerous controlled substances.

Congress just passed, and President Trump has signed, a funding bill that brings the government back online after weeks of shutdown and simultaneously delivers one of the most significant reversals in federal cannabis and hemp policy since 2018.

Retail giant Target has begun testing sales of hemp-derived THC beverages in select stores throughout Minnesota, making them the first major national retailer to sell these beverages in their stores.

A coalition of Democratic senators asked colleagues to derail any attempt to ban all hemp products containing THC, asserting that it would deal a “fatal blow” to the industry that emerged during President Donald Trump’s first term.

Even though flower continues to reign supreme, edibles have become increasingly popular, evolving from a niche product to a significant segment of the legal cannabis market. Edibles are particularly popular in the U.S. and in Canada, with U.S. sales growing roughly 20% year-over-year from 2019 to 2023.

On June 4, the House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which modifies the definition of hemp in a manner that could ban most THC hemp products.

As consumer preferences shift, bars and restaurants have more to consider ─ especially with the rise in THC beverages. Even if you live in a state where marijuana is illegal, hemp beverages fall under federal hemp laws rather than state cannabis regulations, allowing them to be sold through mainstream retail outlets that typically carry alcohol.

Cannabis Regulator is conducting its first ever Movers & Shakers awards with a goal of recognizing leaders who haven’t been afraid to take chances, to rethink the way they do business, and to embrace the challenges facing the cannabis industry head on.