Cannabis News Roundup - Podcast: Week 2025-25: North Carolina Tightens Rules on THC Drinks, California's Hemp Crackdown, Rhode Island Avoids Ban

21 Jun 2025

Top stories:

   - California Moves to Permanently Ban Hemp-Derived THC

   - Delaware Puts Pause on Hemp Product Restrictions 

   - Minnesota Licenses First Cannabis Microbusiness

   - PA Legalization Blocked from Budget by GOP Leaders

   - Texas Hemp Ban Awaits Abbott’s Decision

 

Tags: cannabis news 2025, cannabis podcast, hemp regulation USA, state cannabis laws, Texas hemp ban, Minnesota cannabis license, Maryland cannabis pardon, New York cannabis recall, Florida hemp packaging rules, California THC ban, Missouri cannabis ballot 2026, North Carolina THC regulation, Delaware cannabis bill, Ohio marijuana law, Pennsylvania cannabis legalization, Rhode Island hemp drinks, Massachusetts consumption lounges, cannabis legalization news, U.S. cannabis reform, hemp industry updates

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SUMMARIES:

California is moving forward with plans to make its temporary ban on hemp-derived THC products permanent. Officials say the goal is to protect the legal cannabis market, but the move could cost the state $600 million and thousands of jobs. The public has 45 days to comment before the policy is finalized.

Florida is now enforcing new hemp product rules that require child-resistant packaging, clear labeling, and QR codes linking to lab results. The law aims to stop marketing to minors and ensure consumer safety. Officials say over 726,000 noncompliant products have already been found, and businesses not following the rules will face strict penalties.

A bill to regulate THC-infused drinks in Delaware has been pulled by its sponsor, Rep. Debra Heffernan, after facing opposition from retailers and hemp businesses. She says there wasn’t enough time to work out the details this session, but she plans to bring it back next year.

On Juneteenth, Maryland Governor Wes Moore pardoned nearly 7,000 cannabis possession offenses and launched a $400 million investment plan to uplift communities historically harmed by discrimination and past drug policies. The new initiative, called “Just Communities,” will prioritize state funding for underserved areas.

Massachusetts is preparing to launch cannabis cafes and social-use venues. The Cannabis Control Commission will vote on final regulations in July, with enforceable rules expected by October. The new rules would allow cannabis consumption in lounges, hospitality venues, and temporary events—offering new opportunities for both consumers and businesses.

Minnesota has officially launched its recreational cannabis market by issuing its first business license to a micro-cultivator, Herb Quest. The state is also opening up new opportunities for cannabis testing labs, event organizers, and social equity applicants, while tribal and local governments are preparing their own cannabis operations.

A battle is brewing in Missouri’s cannabis sector. Hemp industry leaders are planning a 2026 ballot initiative that would replace the current marijuana laws with a unified framework for both hemp and marijuana, regulated like alcohol and tobacco. Supporters say it would streamline access and boost revenue, but the established marijuana industry warns it could undo years of progress.

New York has awarded startup grants of up to $30,000 to 52 cannabis dispensary owners who were previously affected by marijuana convictions. The program is part of the state’s push to build a fair and inclusive cannabis market, and comes as legal sales top $1.5 billion statewide. Officials say the grants will help entrepreneurs cover costs like rent and renovations, while strengthening the state’s regulated market.

North Carolina lawmakers are moving fast to pass a new law that would regulate hemp-derived THC products. The bill, HB 328, would ban synthetic cannabinoids, raise the legal age to buy THC products to 21, and require clear labeling and retail licenses. Lawmakers say the goal is to protect children from unregulated products.

In Ohio, Republican lawmakers have failed to reach an agreement on changes to the state’s voter-approved marijuana law, forcing a planned vote to be canceled. Disputes over how to allocate cannabis tax revenue and whether to increase penalties for sharing cannabis are at the heart of the standoff. With no deal in sight and summer recess beginning, the law remains unchanged.

With Pennsylvania’s budget deadline just days away, Governor Josh Shapiro is still pushing for adult-use marijuana legalization to help close a multi-billion-dollar fiscal gap. But Senate Republicans have rejected its inclusion in the budget, citing disagreements over how the market should be regulated—despite polls showing strong public support and widespread cannabis sales just across the state border.

In Rhode Island, lawmakers have backed off a proposed ban on hemp-derived THC drinks. Instead, they’re asking the state’s Cannabis Control Commission to recommend new rules by March. For now, the intoxicating beverages will remain on store shelves, as officials weigh health and safety concerns against industry pressure.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has until Sunday to decide on a controversial bill that would ban all THC-containing hemp products. The bill, known as SB 3, could eliminate thousands of jobs and reshape the hemp market. If Abbott does nothing, the bill will automatically become law on June 22.

 

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